Block 1 Geology
Lesson 1 Intro to Geology
Exploring
Geosciences – January 30th, 2020 12 Thematic Lessons- Your Host: Francine Fallara, P. Geo., M.Sc.A (OGQ #433)
Exploration geologist with over 25 years of field experience in various difficult geological environments Consultant in analytical data analysis specialized in complex geological exploration studies Expert in 3D geological modeling and www.ffexplore3d.com digital targeting of minerals Thematic Bloc 1 - Overview
Thematic Block 1 Lesson Subtitle Date - 2020 English
1 Introduction to geology January 30th 1:30 - 3:30 PM
2 Rocks and Minerals February 13th 1:30 - 3:30 PM Geology 3 Rock Deformation February 27th 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 3 Lesson 1 – Introduction to Geology
Lesson 1 Sub-lessons January 30th
a. Geological Eras Earth Formation b. Geological Cycles 1:30 - 2:00 PM a. Continental Drift b. Earthquakes 2:00 - 2:30 PM Tectonic Plates c. Volcanism d. Mountain ranges a. Geological Provinces b. Characteristics Geology of Quebec 2:30 - 3:30 PM c. Quaternary Geology
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 4 Earth Formation: Geological Eras
How do we know when the dinosaurs died out? How do we know when birds first appeared on Earth? When humans evolved? When was the beginning of life itself? How was our planet formed and populated by living things over time?
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 5 Earth Formation: Geological Eras
To answer these questions, geologists use a Geologic Time Scale:
A special timeline.
A record of the earth's geologic history as scientists have come to understand it by studying the layers in rock.
The geologic time scale is broken up into larger and smaller subdivisions, which help us get a better sense of how historical events fit together.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 6 Earth Formation: Geological Time Scale
Major subdivisions representing the Earth's history since 4.6 billion years
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 7 Earth Formation:
Geological Time Scale https://gotbooks.miracosta.edu/earth_science/images/minerals.jpg
Major subdivisions representing the Earth's history since 4.6 billion years
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 8 Earth History Geological Time Scale on a 24 hours clock Earth’s history, recorded within a ‘Geological Time Scale’, based on:
Fossils and rock formations Radioactive dating
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 9 Lesson 1: Earth Formation: Geological Eras & Time Scale: Videos
The History of Life on Earth: Timeline and Characteristics of Major Eras https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-history-of-life-on-earth-timeline-and-characteristics-of-major-eras.html
The Geologic Record: Definition & Timeline https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-geologic-record-definition-timeline.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 10 Earth Formation: Geological Cycles
Geological processes and their map expressions
https://geologycafe.com/index.html Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 11 Earth Formation: Geological Cycles
Deposition: Geological process where rocks, soil, and silt are naturally deposited in such a way that new land masses are created or old landforms are added to or changed.
Erosion: Ongoing part of the geological cycle where land is worn away and carried elsewhere by elements like wind and rain.
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 12 Earth Formation: Geological Cycles
Volcanic Eruption & Deposition:
Few undersea volcanoes grow big enough to become islands but most become mountain ranges on the seafloor where the tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust spread apart and/or crash together
Magma from beneath the ocean floor oozes up to form new land in the spaces where tectonic plates pull apart through a process called seafloor spreading: Volcanoes above ground spew ash and dust (in addition to lava) which settle near the volcano itself but also get picked up by the wind or are pushed far out by the force of the blast. https://geologycafe.com/index.html The ash, dust, and pieces of volcanic rock then settle and become a part of the existing landscape. The bigger the eruption, the more deposits that are added.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 13 Earth Formation: Geological Cycles
Water & Ice Deposition:
Water in the form of rivers, waves, and ice has the power to move sediment, sometimes hundreds of miles.
Rivers move sediment great distances, emptying it into oceans, lakes, and even other rivers.
Glaciers seem like a slow way to travel but they can pick up and move rocks and soil hundreds of kilometers away from where they started.
Ocean waves are also powerful forces that shapes
and transforms coasts. Waves don't strike at once https://geologycafe.com/index.html the way volcanoes and landslides can, but over time they create steep cliffs and sandy beaches.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 14 Earth Formation: Geological Cycles
Wind & Gravity Deposition
Sand dunes, landslides, and mudflows are also formed and/or caused by the process of deposition. A sand dune is the result of large amounts of sand moved by wind over time.
The sheer force of gravity is enough to move sediments. The mass movement of sediments occurs rapidly through landslides of rock and soil and mudflows of rock, soil, and water.
Slower mass movements of land are aptly named
creeps but often involve the same types of materials. https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 15 Lesson 1: Earth Formation: Geological Cycles: Videos
Rock Cycle: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks https://study.com/academy/lesson/rock-cycle-igneous-sedimentary-and-metamorphic-rocks.html
Earth's Internal Layers: Crust, Mantle & Core https://study.com/academy/lesson/composition-of-earths-internal-layers-crust-mantle-and-core.html
What is a Deposition? - Definition & Explanation https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-deposition-definition-vapor-quiz.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 16 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift
250 Million years ago (Myr or Ma)
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ice-age-continental-drift-2012 Today!
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 17 Tectonic Plates: Wilson Cycle A
Stable Crust G B
Erosion and peneplation Wilson Cycle Continental Rift describes the opening and F closing of an ocean C basin by
Continental Collision continental drift Oceanic Expansion https://geologycafe.com/index.html
E D
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology Oceanic Closure 18 Tectonic Plates: Wilson Cycle
A. The breakup of an immense continent called "supercontinent" (i.e. Pangaea) to form several A smaller continents. This break is along continental rifts
B. Continental drift G B
C. Formation of seas and oceans Erosion and peneplation Wilson Cycle D. Subduction of the oceanic crust beneath the describes the continents opening and closing F E. Bringing rapprochement between different continents of an ocean basin by C (decreasing the size of the oceans) continental drift F. Collision between continents, leading to the https://geologycafe.com/index.html formation of mountain ranges. This process is called D oogenesis E
G. Creation of a supercontinent following the assembly of the continents
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 19 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift A. Beginning of a continental rift
Erosion and peneplation
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 20 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift B. Continental rift
Erosion and peneplation
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 21 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift C1. Formation of an Oceanic crust and a linear sea
Erosion and peneplation
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 22 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift C2. Formation of an Ocean of Atlantic type
Erosion and peneplation
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 23 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift D. Subduction of an oceanic crust under the continent
Erosion and peneplation
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 24 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift F. Collision between continents and formation of a mountain range
Erosion and peneplation
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 25 Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift G. Erosion and planed mountains
Erosion and peneplation
Erosion and peneplation
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Planète Terre website, Laval University (Pierre-André Bourque) http://www2.ggl.ulaval.ca/personnel/bourque/intro.pt/planete_terre.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 26 Lesson 1: Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift: Videos
Theory and Evidence of Continental Drift https://study.com/academy/lesson/theory-and-evidence-of-continental-drift.html
What is Plate Tectonics? - Definition, Theory & Components https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-plate-tectonics-definition-theory-components.html
Major Plates of the Lithosphere: Earth's Tectonic Plates https://study.com/academy/lesson/major-plates-of-the-lithosphere-earths-tectonic-plates.html
What is Pangaea? - Theory & Definition https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-pangaea-theory-definition-quiz.html
Plate Tectonics: A Unified Theory for Change of the Earth's Surface https://study.com/academy/lesson/plate-tectonics-a-unified-theory-for-change-of-the-earths-surface.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 27 Lesson 1: Tectonic Plates: Continental Drift: Videos
Alfred Wegener's Theory of Continental Drift https://study.com/academy/lesson/alfred-wegeners-theory-of-continental-drift.html
The Wilson Cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_q3sAcuzIY
Causes of Tectonic Plate Movement https://study.com/academy/lesson/causes-of-tectonic-plate-movement.html
Seafloor Spreading: Theory & Definition https://study.com/academy/lesson/seafloor-spreading-theory-definition-quiz.html
Plate Boundaries: Convergent, Divergent, and Transform Boundaries https://study.com/academy/lesson/plate-boundaries-convergent-divergent-and-transform-boundaries.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 28 Tectonic Plates: Earthquakes
Earthquakes are defined simply as ground-shaking, but it's more complex Epicenter than that:
Fault • Rocks deep underground are squeezed tightly together along a fracture and are constantly being deformed by natural processes (like Focus plate movement)
Modified from: https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 29 Tectonic Plates: Earthquakes
• Stress rises, the two sides of the fracture shifts and becomes a fault Epicenter
• Stress is relieved, and the rocks can snap Fault back into their original shape: Known as elastic rebound: Creating seismic waves (focus) used by geologists to determine Focus earthquake occurrences Seismic waves rise to the earth's Modified from: surface, and those surface https://geologycafe.com/index.html vibrations are the ground-shaking we feel during earthquakes
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 30 Tectonic Plates: Earthquakes
• Focus: Underground point where the earthquake begins: Epicenter Focal point where the rock actually breaks Directly above the focus on the surface is the Fault epicenter: Central point from where all of the ground shaking extends outward on the surface Usually reflects the most damage from an earthquake Focus • Earthquakes don't always release all of their energy at one time: Modified from: Foreshocks and aftershocks are energy that is https://geologycafe.com/index.html released before and after the main quake
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 31 Lesson 1: Tectonic Plates: Earthquakes: Videos
Earthquakes Definition: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-earthquake-definition-lesson-quiz.html
What is an Earthquake? - Definition and Components: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-earthquake-definition-history.html
The Causes of Earthquakes: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-causes-of-earthquakes.html
Using the Richter Scale to Measure Earthquakes https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-the-richter-scale-to-measure-earthquakes.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 32 Tectonic Plates: Volcanism
Volcano is a vent in the earth's crust through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor and gases are ejected.
• A volcano begins to form when magma, which is hot molten rock from deep within the earth, rises toward the earth's Mount St. Helens, USA surface and collects in magma https://geologycafe.com/index.html chambers.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 33 Tectonic Plates: Volcanism
Magma Chambers: • As pressure builds within these chambers, magma is expelled through a vent or fissure in the earth's surface as a volcanic eruption.
• Hot molten rock outside of a volcano takes on the name lava: Magma: Liquid rock in the 'middle' of
the earth Mount St. Helens, USA Lava: https://geologycafe.com/index.html Liquid rock that's 'leaving' the earth.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 34 Tectonic Plates: Volcanism
Different classifications of volcanoes:
Active volcano: Volcano that has erupted at least once in the past 10,000 years: Many active volcanoes occur due to plate tectonics, which is a theory that states the earth's crust is broken up into plates. These plate-like sections of crust
are called tectonic plates, and at Mount St. Helens, USA the boundaries between plates, https://geologycafe.com/index.html magma can escape in a volcanic eruption.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 35 Tectonic Plates: Volcanism
Different classifications of volcanoes:
Dormant volcano: Volcano that has not erupted in the past 10,000 years, but has the potential to erupt in the future.
Extinct volcano: Volcano that is not expected to erupt again.
Mount St. Helens, USA https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 36 Lesson 1: Tectonic Plates: Volcanism: Videos
What is a Volcano? - Definition & Eruptions https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-volcano-definition-eruptions.html
Earthquakes and Volcanoes: Evidence of Earth's Inner Layers https://study.com/academy/lesson/earthquakes-and-volcanoes-evidence-of-earths-inner-layers.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 37 Tectonic Plates: Mountain Ranges How mountains are formed?
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology https://geologycafe.com/index.html 38 Tectonic Plates: Mountain Ranges Convergence How mountains are formed?
Volcanic, dome and Divergence folded mountain Fault-Block Mountain
Volcanic
mountains https://geologycafe.com/index.html Normal Faults
https://geologycafe.com/index.html
Folded mountains
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 39 Tectonic Plates: Mountain Ranges Volcanic How mountains are formed? Dome
Mount St. Helens, USA Bear Butte Sturgis South Dakota, USA Mount Osorno, Chile https://geologycafe.com/index.html Folded Fault-Block
Himalaya, Asia Sierra Nevada mountains in North America Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 40 Tectonic Plates: Mountain Ranges
How mountains are formed?
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 41 Lesson 1: Tectonic Plates: Mountain Range Formation: Videos
The Processes of Mountain Building: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-processes-of-mountain-building.html
What is a Mountain Range? - Definition & Explanation https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-mountain-range-definition-lesson-quiz.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 42 Geological Provinces Origin
Plate Tectonics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmT19XhQGNM Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 43 Geological Provinces Origin
World’s Tectonic plates Geological Provinces
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 44 Geological Provinces of Canada
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 45 Geological Provinces of Quebec
Nain
Superior
HBP
Abitibi SLP
SLP
SLP HBP
Thériault et Beauséjour, 2012 (DV 2012-06) Thériault et Beauséjour, 2013 http://sigeom.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_index https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/provinces-geologiques-robert-theriault.pdf Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 46 Geological Provinces Tectonic plates: of Quebec Formation of the geological provinces of Quebec
Old continental margin theriault.pdf
Superior-Churchill: -
robert -
Continental Rift and formation of the geologiques Ocean Manikewan 1900 to 2100 Ma ago - Abitibi
Closing of the Manikewan Ocean and
content/uploads/provinces 3
formation of New-Quebec (Fosse du - Labrador) and Ungava orogenesis 1800 201
to 1900 Ma ago
Thériaultet Beauséjour, https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 47 Geological Provinces Tectonic plates: of Quebec Formation of the geological provinces of Quebec
Old continental margin theriault.pdf
Superior-Grenville: -
robert -
Rift evidence between Superior and geologiques Grenville not known - Abitibi
Formation of the Grenvillian orogenesis content/uploads/provinces
1000 to 1100 Ma ago 3
- 201
Assembly of the supercontinent Rodinia
Thériaultet Beauséjour, https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 48 Geological Provinces Tectonic plates: of Quebec Formation of the geological provinces of Quebec
Old continental margin theriault.pdf
Grenville-Appalachian: - robert Rifting of the Rodinia supercontinent in eight -
continents and formation of the Iapetus Ocean 600 geologiques Ma ago - Abitibi
Closing of the Iapetus Ocean and formation of the
taconian (440-460 Ma) and Acadian orogenesis (380-
content/uploads/provinces
3 -
410 Ma) forming the Appalachian Mountain Range 201
Assembly of the supercontinent Pangaea from
around 450 Ma up to 200 Ma
Thériaultet Beauséjour, https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 49 Geological Provinces Tectonic plates: of Quebec Formation of the geological provinces of Quebec
Actual continental margin theriault.pdf
of the Atlantic Ocean: -
robert -
Rifting of the supercontinent Pangaea in
geologiques -
seven continents from 175 Ma and Abitibi
formation of actual oceans
content/uploads/provinces
3
-
201
Thériaultet Beauséjour, https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 50 Geological Provinces of Quebec
- Overview https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/gc/article/view/1245/1628 Regional setting of the orogenies draped over topographic relief and the geological Superior Province sub- provinces subdivisions :
Abitibi sub-province Opatica sub-province Opinaca sub-province LaGrande sub-province Ashuanipi sub-province Bienville sub-province Minto sub-province
(modified from Card and Ciesielski 1986)
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 51 Geology of Superior Province
Abundance of old volcanic rocks older than 2700 Ma:
Gold, copper and zinc deposits, magmatic rocks rich in nickel and platinum, Algoma iron formations, and diamondiferous kimberlites that are much younger than Abitibi volcanic rocks
Geological map of the Superior Province (modified from Card, 1990, from OGS map 2545, 1991 and after Percival et al., 1992) Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 52 Geology of Churchill Province: New-Quebec (Labrador Thrust) and Torngat orogenesis
Main substances sought in New Quebec Orogeny: Iron, copper, nickel, PGE*, gold, zinc and cobalt
Torngat Orogeny and Core Zone: Uranium, Diamonds, Copper, REE**
* Platinum group elements (EGP): Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Iridium (Ir), Osmium (Os), Rhenium (Re)
** Rare earth elements (REE): 15 elements of the periodic table: lanthanides http://gq.mines.gouv.qc.ca/lexique-stratigraphique/province-de-churchill_en/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 53 Geology of Churchill Province: Ungava Orogeny
Ungava Thrust: Cape Smith Belt:
Main substances sought:
http://mern.gouv.qc.ca Nickel, copper, cobalt and PEG (i.e. Platinum elements group)
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 54 Geology of Grenville Province
Potential for:
Industrial minerals:
Graphite, apatite, ilmenite and aluminosilicates (garnet, sillimanite, kyanite)
Metals:
(Moukhsil et Solgadi, 2018) Nickel, copper and PGE*
* Platinum group elements (EGP): Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Iridium (Ir), Osmium (Os), Rhenium (Re)
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 55 Geological
Provinces of Quebec https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp
Characteristics: Ages Beauséjour, et Thériault
201
-
3
content/uploads/provinces
- geologiques
Abitibi
-
robert
- theriault.pdf
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 56 Superior Province
Characteristics
https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp Beauséjour, et Thériault • Occupies the central part of the
Canadian Shield
201
- 3 • Covers half of Québec (750,000 km²) content/uploads/provinces
• Made up of various and very old rocks
of Archean age which varies between
- geologiques
2500 and 4300 Ma Abitibi
-
robert
- theriault.pdf
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 57 Superior Province
Characteristics
https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp Beauséjour, et Thériault • Abitibi Sub-province: The most extensive Archean volcano-sedimentary
belt in the world, and famous for its 201
- 3
precious and base metals deposits content/uploads/provinces
- geologiques
Abitibi
-
robert
- theriault.pdf
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 58 Nain Province
Characteristics
https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp Beauséjour, et Thériault • Located along the east coast of Labrador, near the Torngat
mountains 201
-
3 content/uploads/provinces
• Mostly find in Labrador (60 000
km²), with only a small portion - (about 60 km²) extending into the geologiques
Torngat Mountains of Québec Abitibi
-
robert - • Made up of Archean metamorphic theriault.pdf rocks between 1300 and 3800 Ma
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 59 Churchill Province
Characteristics https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp • Located to the north and east of the Superior Beauséjour, et Thériault Province and covers an area of about
200,000 km²
201
- 3 • Composed of various Archean to Proterozoic content/uploads/provinces
rocks varying between 1100 and 2900 Ma -
• Includes three distinct orogenesis or geologiques
mountain ranges: Abitibi - • Ungava (north): nickel-copper deposits of Cape Smith robert
• - New Quebec (west): massive iron deposits as well as theriault.pdf many copper, nickel and PGE* deposits • Torngat (east): rocks are injected by kimberlites with diamond potential
* Platinum group elements (EGP): Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Iridium (Ir), Osmium (Os), Rhenium (Re)
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 60 Grenville Province
Characteristics https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp • It forms the southeast limit of the Superior Beauséjour, et Thériault Province and covers ~ 1/3 of Quebec's
surface area, nearly 500,000 km²
201
-
3 content/uploads/provinces • Extends over nearly 6000 km, from Mexico to
Labrador, and to Scandinavia
- geologiques
Abitibi -
• Consisting of various Archean to Proterozoic robert - rocks varying between 600 and 2700 Ma theriault.pdf
• Known for its iron and ilmenite mines and for its industrial mineral potential
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 61 Appalachian Province
Characteristics https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp • Covers an area of 80,000 km2 and extends Beauséjour, et Thériault 3000 km, from Newfoundland to south-east
of USA
201
-
3 content/uploads/provinces
• Mostly composed of Paleozoic sedimentary - rocks ranging between 300 and 600 Ma geologiques
Abitibi -
• Mountains ranges formed by two main robert - tectonic events: the Taconian (440-460 Ma) theriault.pdf and Acadian (380-410 Ma) orogenies
• The Gaspé Mines copper deposits are found in this geological province Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 62 St. Lawrence Platform
Characteristics https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp Occupies St-Lawrence Valley and is divided Beauséjour, et Thériault into two distinct platforms: St. Lawrence Lowlands Platform
Anticosti Platform 201
-
3 content/uploads/provinces Covers an area of more than 30,000 km2 and
overlies rocks of the Grenville Province
- geologiques
Developed at the end of the Proterozoic and Abitibi -
during the Paleozoic, with the formation of robert - the Saint Lawrence rift (period from 570 to theriault.pdf 430 Ma)
Made up of sedimentary rocks: The main resource is limestone
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 63 Hudson Bay Platform
Characteristics https://mern.gouv.qc.ca/wp • Covers an area of roughly 5,500 km2 just Beauséjour, et Thériault south of James Bay
• Made up of sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic 201
-
3 content/uploads/provinces age that varies between 410 and 450 Ma
• With a similar composition to those found in - the St. Lawrence Platform geologiques
Abitibi
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robert
- theriault.pdf
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 64 Lesson 1: Geology of Quebec: Quaternary Geology: Videos
The Cenozoic Era: Definition, Time Period & Facts https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-cenozoic-era-definition-time-period-facts.html
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 65 Quaternary Geology: Ice Cap Extension
During the Quaternary period, long cooling sequences favored the growth of continental glaciers over North America.
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ 66 Quaternary Geology: Ice Cap Extension
Last glaciation: 21,000 years ago
Laurentians Ice Sheet completely covered Canada from east coast to the Rockies, and part of the United States
This glacier was up to 4,000 m thick at its center was near Hudson Bay:
This immense mass of ice has shaped the landscape through its erosion and sediment transport action
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 67 Quaternary Geology: Ice Cap Extension
Glaciers move by gravity:
Debris of all sizes incorporated at its base, erode the surface of the ground, like sandpaper.
Other fragments of the bedrock were torn off by the action of freezing and thawing of the water under the glacier.
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 68 Quaternary Geology: Ice Cap Extension
A distinction is made between:
Glacial sediments: Deposited directly by the ice on site or at the margins of the glacier: • Moraines • Tills
Glacio-fluvial sediments: Redistributed by the meltwater of the glacier and deposited on the spreading plain: • Eskers
• Kames https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 69 Quaternary Geology of Quebec
Glaciers began to retreat from Quebec around 13,000 years ago. With the gigantic weight of the ice, the earth's crust has temporarily collapsed and the continental surface has been found in places below sea level.
Maximum extension of the Champlain Sea
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ 70 Quaternary Geology of Quebec
In Quebec, during the melting of the glaciers:
The Saint-Laurent Lowlands, the Saguenay- Lac-Saint-Jean region and the Gaspé and North Shore coasts were flooded: Creation of the Champlain Sea: • Gulf of Laflamme • Sea of Goldthwait Covering glacial-origin deposits and leaving behind deep-sea marine deposits (clays and coastal fine sands sediments)
Elsewhere, meltwater has accumulated in proglacial lakes on the fringes of glaciers, such as Lake Ojibway in Abitibi-Témiscamingue: These lakes also left clays and sands
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 71 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Subsequently, meltwater from the glacier redistributed these materials over the spreading plain, shaping different forms of glacio-fluvial deposits: On the margins of these bodies of water: Large deltas formed at the mouth of rivers carrying glaciers melting waters, where coarse gravelly and sandy sediments accumulated
Frontal Moraine
Wetlands
Coastal sands
Bedrock
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 72 Quaternary Geology of Quebec The earth's crust, released from the weight of the ice, began to rise, a phenomenon called isostatic recovery: This return to balance has been accomplished for thousands of years and continues today Following isostatic recovery, marine invasions such as the Champlain Sea finally emptied by the St. Lawrence River.
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 73 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Glacial Sediments: Tills They result from the transport by glaciers Tills of fragments torn from the rocky substrate and of old loose deposits
In a fine matrix, a mixture of crushed rocks of various grain sizes
Generally made up of grains of all sizes and are generally not very permeable: Except for the “reworked” tills: • Their fine matrix particles were leached by glacio-fluvial waters
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 74 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Glacial Sediments: Moraines Form ridges of deposits composed of
till, glacio-fluvial sediments (sands, Moraines gravels, boulders) or a mixture of both
Result from the accumulation of materials eroded by the glacier: on its forehead (frontal moraine) on its sides (lateral moraine) or in crevices (De Geer's moraine)
Moraines may be permeable where fine grain has been transported further downstream by meltwater https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 75 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Glacio-Fluvial Sediments: Eskers Eskers Elongated, sinuous cord, made up of laminated sand and gravel and up to several tens of kilometers long
Result from the deposition of sediment in subglacial tunnels dug by the evacuation of meltwater from the glacier
Generally have high permeability and significant aquifer potential, and constitute zones favorable to recharging but more vulnerable to
contamination. Abitibi-Témiscamingue (top: aerial top view; bottom: section view)
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 76 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Glacio-Fluvial Sediments: Kettles
Depressions in a bowl left in a glacial or Kettle lake (Metabetchouan, Lac St-Jean) glacio-fluvial deposit
Result from the collapse of sediments following the melting of a large block of ice trapped under the deposits of sand and gravel
The displaced sediments then form a funnel-like depression
They are often found occupied by lakes which are then called "kettle lakes", but can also be dry
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 77 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Glacio-Fluvial Sediments: Kames
Irregular hills made up of sand and gravel Kame near Kirriemuir, Scotland
Result of the accumulation of sediments mobilized by super-glacial rivers in a depression on the surface of a retreating glacier, which are found on the ground following the complete melting of the glacier
They can make good aquifers when they are thick enough
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kame Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 78 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Deep-sea and Glacio-lacustrine Sediments: Clays and Silts
Lacustrine clays are found in rhythmites: Thin layers of clay alternate with the thicker layers of silts Each of these layers marks a sedimentation process linked to the rhythm of the seasons The seasons influence the energy of the Clays water currents: • Stronger currents (spring) transport coarse sediments • Calm waters (winter) deposit the finest particles Sequences of these two layers illustrates a year’s sedimentation and is called varves Silts are also not very permeable Rhythmites
https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 79 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Shallow Water Sediments: Delta Sands and Coasts
Sediments accumulated in raised and temporary marine bodies of water such as the Champlain Sea, or in freshwater proglacial lakes: Lack of sufficient current to keep them in suspension, thus forming deltas These deposits now form large aquifers
Coastal sands are permeable deposits that were placed on the edge of the beaches of the era of advanced deglaciation, in shallow water, and can also constitute good aquifers when they are thick enough
Delta sands and center picture illustrates current traces
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ 80 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Wind Sediments: Dunes
Discovered by the retreat of ice and water, surface deposits are subject to the action of intense winds which can change their morphology in the form of dunes
These wind deposits can be good aquifers
Dunes, Magdalen Islands (Quebec) http://archive.lesieurphoto.com/photos/iles-de-la-madeleine/dune-du-nord
Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 81 Quaternary Geology of Quebec
Alluvial Sediments: Alluvium Alluvium
Materials transported by watercourses and deposited where the current becomes weak
Form the alluvial plain of rivers
Contains all types of grain size, from gravel to clay
Constitute aquifers when the materials are sufficiently coarse
Alluvial plain of rivers Alluvium (left), Hall River, Gaspé (right) https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 82 Quaternary Geology of Quebec Organic Sediments or Deposits: Wetlands
All sites saturated with water or flooded for a period long enough to influence the vegetation and the substrate
These environments play an important role in the hydrological cycle of a watershed: Particularly in the recharge and discharge processes of groundwater
In Quebec, wetlands are mainly made up of peatlands: Lower layer (catotelm) composed of decomposed organic material: • Low permeability Upper layer (acrotelme) is composed of fresh organic material: • Highly permeable
Lake Rose peatland, Center-du-Québec https://rqes.ca/geologie-quaternaire/ Exploring Geosciences: B1-Geology: L1- Intro to Geology 83 Questions?
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