Thermal and compositional structure of the Superior Craton, Canada: Lithospheric architecture and implications for diamond prospectivity

加拿大上克拉通的热力和成分结构：岩石圈结构及其对钻石前景的影响

• 批准号: 549660-2019
• 负责人: Darbyshire, Fiona
• 金额: $ 1.52万
• 依托单位: Université du Québec à Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=700250
• 关键词: Thermal; compositional; structure; Superior; Craton

Mineral resources exploration through geophysics is usually associated with shallow subsurface imaging to find ore deposits. However, we can also learn a great deal by studying the deep, large-scale structure of the continents to find out more about how the minerals are created at depth and how they find their way to the surface. This "mineral systems" approach is gaining popularity in Canada, paving the way for a new generation of studies of deep structure. De Beers Canada has been actively exploring for diamonds in Canada since the 1960s and has operated 3 diamond mines in Ontario and the Northwest Territories. Diamonds are initially formed at great depth, under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, and are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions that penetrate through the deep continental "root". The distribution of diamondiferous deposits is therefore controlled by both the deep structure of the continent and by the "pathways" created from depth to surface by later volcanic activity. In order to improve exploration targeting for the diamond industry, we need to apply new methods that image the deep structure of the continent in 3D, in particular, variations in the temperature and chemical composition of the rocks. We will combine a diverse range of data, using both geophysics and geochemistry, to model the structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath central-eastern Canada, where some of the world's oldest rocks are found, and where the ancient continental "root" is known to be thick enough to support diamond formation. De Beers Canada will subsequently use the model to evaluate potential exploration targets across the region, where they can apply field-based survey methods to study the target areas in more detail, using field-based exploration projects. The aim of this Alliance partnership project is therefore to aid the discovery of new economically-important diamond prospects in the eastern Canadian Shield.

通过地球物理学探索矿产资源通常与浅层地下成像有关，以查找矿石沉积物。但是，我们还可以通过研究大陆的深层，大规模的结构来了解很多有关如何深入创造矿物以及如何找到表面的方式的信息。这种“矿物系统”方法在加拿大越来越受欢迎，为新一代的深层研究铺平了道路。 自1960年代以来，加拿大德比尔斯（De Beers Canada）一直在积极探索加拿大的钻石，并在安大略省和西北地区经营3个钻石矿。钻石最初是在温度和压力的特定条件下在深度形成的，并被火山喷发带到表面，这些火山喷发穿过深层大陆“根”。因此，钻石沉积物的分布均由大陆的深层结构和通过以后的火山活性从深度到表面产生的“途径”控制。 为了改善钻石行业的勘探目标，我们需要应用图像的新方法 大陆在3D中的深层结构，尤其是岩石温度和化学成分的变化。我们将使用地球物理学和地球化学来结合各种数据，以建模地壳和上层地幔的结构，在加拿大中部中部，在那里发现了一些世界上最古老的岩石，而古老的大陆“根”已知足以支撑钻石形成。 De Beers Canada随后将使用该模型来评估整个地区的潜在勘探目标，他们可以使用基于现场的勘探项目应用基于现场的调查方法，以更详细地研究目标区域。因此，该联盟合作计划的目的是帮助发现加拿大东部盾牌的新经济重要钻石前景。