Bedrock geology compilation and regional synthesis of parts of Hearne and Rae domains, western Churchill Province, Nunavut - Manitoba

Abstract

This 1:550 000 scale digital compilation integrates information from geology maps published between 1970 and 2005 to showcase a seamless bedrock geology map of portions of the Hearne and Rae domains west of Hudson Bay (Figures 1, 2; sheet 1). The integrated geological and metallogenic synthesis of the principal lithotectonic elements of a metal-rich portion of the Western Churchill Province (WCP) is produced under the auspices of the Western Churchill Metallogeny Project (WCMP), Northern Resources Development Program (2003-2007) of the Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada, and builds on recent bedrock mapping initiatives (e.g., western Churchill NATMAP project [1997-2002]). The area, covered in this compilation, represents a significant portion of the Hearne domain (Hoffman, 1988), and to a lesser extent some portions of the adjoining Rae domain, Nunavut. South of the Snowbird tectonic zone (STZ, Figure 1), the northwestern Hearne domain is predominantly composed of Archean juvenile crust that is interpreted to be underlain by continental crust of the Rae domain (e.g., Jones et al., 2002; Figure 3, sheet 1). Detailed accounts of the bedrock geology, and of targeted studies on structure, metamorphism, petrology, and geochronology of this region were previously published (Aspler et al., 1999, 2001; Berman et al., 2000, 2005; Davis et al., 2004, 2006; Hanmer et al., 1998, 1999a, b, c; Maclachlan, et al., 2005; Mills et al., 2000; Ryan et al., 2000a, b; Sandeman et al., 2000, 2004a, b); and Tella et al., 1993, 1997a, b, c, 1999, 2000a, 2001). Geochronology, geochemistry, thermobarometry, metallogeny, geophysical data (Tables 1-4, Figures 3, 4) have been incorporated and collectively used to present a regional tectonometamorphic and metallogenic synthesis. Databases used include unpublished data maintained by an individual scientist to data captured from a national data warehouse. Digital data were originally compiled using FIELDLOG and AutoCAD, with final output generated with ESRI's ArcGIS and ArcInfo software. The geochronology data are available for viewing and download from the National Geoscience Data Repository (GDR) website (http://gdr.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php). This Open File (GSC OF 5441) is available in hard copy (3 sheets) and digital (CD-ROM) formats. The list of references includes primary sources used in this compilation (Figure 2, sheet 1), and other publications pertinent to the adjoining Rae domain to the west and north that provide a regional geological and tectonic framework, at the scale of the Western Churchill Province. Many of the references provided document the range of published data and information which was utilized to arrive at the integrated compilation shown on sheets 1 and 2. The CD-ROM provides a more comprehensive dataset for viewing.