AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Harzburgite Peak: A large mantle tectonite massif in ophiolite from southwest Yukon

Detailed mapping of bedrock in the northern Wellesley basin adjacent to the Donjek River revealed a coherent sequence of cumulus-textured gabbros, sheeted dykes, and a large massif of spinel harzburgite. The coarse-textured harzburgite tectonite covers an area of ~75 km2, and is generally well preserved, making it one of the largest and most exceptional mantle tectonite bodies yet recognized in Yukon. Together with regional aeromagnetic data the new fi eld observations are interpreted as part of a large ophiolite complex with a strike length extending ~100 km throughout the Wellesley basin. No age data are available, but correlation with identical ultramafi c bodies to the northwest in Alaska suggests that the ophiolite in Wellesley basin may represent a klippe of Slide Mountain Terrane overlying rocks of the Yukon-Tanana Terrane.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Surficial geology, Faro Region, Yukon, parts of NTS 105K/3, 4, 5 & 6

Local-scale surficial geology mapping was completed as part of a community hazards mapping program coordinated by the Northern Climate ExChange (Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College). This program assesses potential landscape hazards under changing future conditions by incorporating a variety of data sets, including surficial geology, topography (slope and aspect), permafrost distribution, site-specific permafrost data (e.g. ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography and borehole data), analyses of past hydrological and climatological trends, and future climate projections. The surficial geology map describes surface landscape features, sediment texture, genetic material, surface expression and geomorphological processes. Detailed descriptions of local surficial geology and hazard analysis methodology are presented in the accompanying report. The accompanying landscape hazard classification map identifies existing and potential geological hazards such as landslides, permafrost stability and flooding; the hazard map is presented in stoplight colours to provide an intuitive tool for community decision makers aiming to incorporate an adaptation planning framework into existing land use management practices.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Structural glaciology of a glacier confluence, Kaskawulsh glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada

Reports a 1964-65 summer investigation of the north and central arms of this glacier with reference to surface ice deformation at a glacier confluence and its relation to optic-axis fabrics of the ice. The fabrics are concluded to be a result of synkinematic recrystallization, although the nature of the control of this recrystallization is not known.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Rocking in the Yukon; An Overview of Mining in the Yukon

The end products from local and global mining of minerals are an important part of our everyday lives. Examples acan be found in our homes: the convenience of copper wiring that allows us to turn on the lights, gypsum in wall board and gold and silver in computers. Our vehicles rely on lead in batteries and zinc in car bodies. 

Many mining products also have an extended life through modern recycling technology. The smelters for newly mined and recycled minerals rely on coal as the major source of power, another product of mining. Our modern lifestyles are more connected to the mining industry thatn many of us realize.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A structural analysis of the upper Swift River area, southeast Yukon (105 B/3), Part II: The TBMB claims and implications for the regional geology

The TBMB claim group, 4 km southwest of the Dan occurrence in the upper Swift River area of stratiform zinc occurrences, reveals the nature of the host rocks and style of folding. A train of east-southeast-trending, east-northeast-verging, km-scale F1 overturned anticlines and synclines dominates the area. These folds clearly control the distribution of low metamorphic grade tectonites (in map and vertical cross-sections) and a structural model allows definition of general stratigraphy of the TBMB and BOUND claim areas. A lower, an intermediate, and an upper unit of siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks are separated by two intervening units of base-metal -sulphide-bearing strata (acid to intermediate metavolcanic rock and marble, respectively). Based upon the repetitive F1 folds (possibly associated with thrust faults) and the similarity of rock types in the TBMB and Dan areas, the authors propose a structural linkage between them.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Yukon Bedrock Geology Map

The Yukon bedrock geology map is in constant evolution as new mapping, geochronology and other geoscience studies improve the stratigraphy, and bring more detailed relationships into focus. The Digital Bedrock Geology GIS dataset used to produce this map is regularly updated and can be downloaded from the Yukon Geological Survey’s website:http://data.geology.gov.yk.ca/Compilation/3. Users are advised to consult the website regularly to ensure they are working with the latest version of the geodatabase or shape files. This Open File map is based on the 2022 version of the bedrock geology dataset; it is accompanied by a detailed Legend (Sheet 2) that summarizes current understanding of rock assemblages and stratigraphic units. The Yukon bedrock geology map can also be viewed and queried online using the Yukon Geological Survey interactive map service: https://yukon.ca/en/yukon-geology#bedrock-geology.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Yukon Geological Survey’s outreach program: 2019 highlights

The Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) provides the geoscience information required for resource and land management for the benefit of all Yukoners. As this information can be highly complex and technical, public outreach and education is necessary in order to make this information accessible and meaningful.

In 2019, the YGS reached out to almost 2000 individuals from across Yukon. The majority of individuals were students, but we also met with members of the public and with First Nation citizens. While the author is the lead on most outreach activities, YGS staff also participate in public lectures, interpretive hikes and other outreach initiatives.

This paper provides a summary of outreach and education activities for 2019.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Lithogeochemical characterization of the Middle–Upper Devonian Road River Group and Canol and Imperial formations on Trail River, east Richardson Mountains, Yukon: age constraints and a depositional model for fine-grained strata in the Lower Paleozoic Richardson trough

for a copy of this paper please contact the Yukon Geological Survey; geology@gov.yk.ca.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Placer deposits of Clear Creek drainage basin 115 P, central Yukon

Placer gold in the Clear Creek drainage basin is found in a variety of gravel deposits, each of which is associated with a specific geological setting. The schematic profile of Clear Creek drainage basin illustrates the distribution of these gravel deposits, and indicates both known deposits and favourable sedimentologic conditions for placer mineral accumulation. Known placer gold deposits include creek and gulch placers, as well as preglacial fluvial gravel or buried channels. Favourable placer deposit settings include alluvial fans, gravelly sediments similar to the Pliocene (?) White Channel gravel of the Klondike area, and specific glacially derived sediments. This paper describes each of the above placer deposit settings, and outlines the associated stratigraphy and sedimentology of placer gold deposits.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Geology of the northwest quarter of Whitehorse map area, Yukon and studies of weathered granitic rocks near Whitehorse

The oldest rocks exposed in the area are Upper Triassic sediments and volcanics of the Lewes River series. They are overlain, apparently with slight unconformity, by Jurassic clastic sediments of the Laberge series. A small area of coal-bearing rocks probably belongs to the Tantalus formation. Acid and basic volcanics of the Hutshi group overlie the Laberge series unconformably along the northern border of the area. Rocks of all the above groups are intruded by the Coast Range granitic intrusions. Greenstones and more highly metamorphosed rocks associated with the main intrusive complex appear to have been derived mainly from the Lewes River series. Flows of fresh basalt exposed in the southern part of the area are believed to be Tertiary in age. Evidence regarding the relation of the weathering to the glaciation is inconclusive and hence it is not known if the weathering is connected with the cool dry climate now prevailing at Whitehorse. Certain granitic rocks of the area appear to weather more readily than others. A study of mineralogy, texture and porosity of the main types of granitic rocks of the area shows that those granitic rocks that appear to be especially susceptible to weathering contain larger pores than less readily weathered granitic rocks, and it is suggested that this feature may partly explain the observed difference in weathering.

This thesis is available online at https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/831/items/1.0053519. A copy of this thesis is available at the EMR library – QE195 F9.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Department of Education Off-Site Experiential Learning Policy (superseded / obsolete)

Superseded / obsolete activity standards that assisted educators to plan and lead field trips. Activity standards are appendixes to the Off-Site Experiential Learning Policy.

The policy and standards below are no longer in effect. [See the current Off-Site Experiential Learning Policy](https://open.yukon.ca/information/publications/department-education-site-experiential-learning-policy).

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Surficial geology of Onion Creek (115J/02), Yukon

The Onion Creek map area straddles the north slope of the Nisling Range to the south and the south slope of the Dawson Range to the north. Nisling River separates the two ranges and crosses the map area from east to west. Onion Creek is a major tributary to the Nisling River on the west side of the map area.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Geological Map of Rose Mountain (105K/5 NW), Central Yukon (1:25 000 scale)

Geological map (1:25,000 scale) of Rose Mountain area, central Yukon (NTS 105K/5 NW) including geological cross sections, mineral occurrences, isotopic age dates, fossil samples and geochemical samples.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A regional characterization of landslides in the Alaska Highway corridor, Yukon

The following report describes the settings, causes and geological controls of landslides in the Alaska Highway corridor. Although diverse geologic, geomorphic and climatic environments exist in the region, most landslides are related to the presence of shallow bedrock or permafrost, unconsolidated sediment on steep slopes, weak bedrock, groundwater hydrology, river erosion or the degradation of ice-rich permafrost. Where geologic controls provide appropriate settings, intense rainfall, rapid snow melt and seismic events play important roles in triggering failures. Rainstorms that reach thresholds of combined intensity and duration have triggered abundant shallow landslides within the corridor. Debris flows have historically posed the highest risk to lowlying regions and are capable of damaging settlements and transportation routes.

The Shakwak Valley has the highest concentration of landslides within the corridor due to the abundance of steep slopes, high relief and widespread discontinuous permafrost. In Wellesley Depression, shallow permafrost and its subsidence has an important influence on slope instabilities. Landslides in the Yukon Plateau primarily relate to the presence of silt- and ice-rich tills on steep valley sides as well as the incision of fine-grained lacustrine terraces in valley bottoms. Debris flows after intense rainfall events are the most common form of landslide in the Kaska Mountains. Finally, in Liard Lowland, failures associated with glacial meltwater and modern stream incision are the most common landslide events.

Permafrost plays an important role in landslide processes in the corridor due to its influence on soil moisture, drainage and strength. Slopes composed of icy sediment that have been burned by forest fires are particularly vulnerable to rapid mass movements due to permafrost degradation. The consequences of the dramatic increase in landslide potential after fire should be considered in local fire management plans. The climate¿s local and regional influence on hydrology, fire frequency and permafrost distribution greatly affects landslide processes. Current climate change projections call for warmer temperatures and increased precipitation for the Yukon in the next half century. Among the anticipated effects of global warming in southern Yukon, increased incidents of intense snowmelt and/or precipitation events, river migration, permafrost degradation or forest fires may lead to an increase in landslide frequency and/or magnitude within the settings described in this report. The most significant impact of increased landslide activity may not be a direct impact. Rather, increased sediment input from landslides will
likely increase stream channel instability and flooding. This would be particularly acute in the vicinity of alluvial and colluvial fan complexes along Kluane Lake where highway maintenance is already a challenge.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Geological Map of Blind Creek (105K/7 NW), Central Yukon (1:25 000 scale)

Geological map (1:25,000 scale) of Blind Creek area, central Yukon (NTS 105K/7 NW) including geological cross sections, mineral occurrences, isotopic age dates, fossil samples and geochemical samples.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Biological Detoxification of Cyanide in Northern Environments

MERG (Mining Environment Research Group) and Viceroy's Brewery Creek Mine commissioned a study by Microbial Technologies Inc., to determine the viability of biological detoxification of spent heaps in Northern (Arctic) environments. This approach has been applied at a small number of mine sites in North America, but it remains a relatively unproven technology. In particular, the detoxifying ability of microorganisms indigenous to Northern mine sites remained to be demonstrated. This approach may be advantageous for the Yukon Territory because it relies on bacteria grown on site to destroy cyanide, as compared with importing (potentially large quantities) of hydrogen peroxide.

The study was designed to answer two questions::
1) Is biological detoxification a feasible option for Brewery Creek Mine?
2) Is this process likely to be applicable to other similar operations in the Yukon Territory and other Northern locations?

There is virtually no information on the abundance and distribution of bacteria capable of degrading cyanide in the Arctic. It is known that different bacterial species degrade different metal-cyanide complexes, such as iron-cyanide or nickel-cyanide complexes. Thus, it is important to determine both the abundance and the metabolic diversity of micro-organisms metabolizing metal-cyanide complexes. The first phase of the study involved collecting, enumerating, and culturing such micro-organisms from the mine sites.

Cyanide-degrading bacteria may be present in the mine environment, but they may not be able to detoxify the ore from the spent heap. For example, they may be incapable of colonizing the ore or they may be inhibited by high cyanide concentrations or some toxicant in the ore (e.g., arsenic, mercury). Phase 2 of the study was a column study to determine if bacteria collected and grown in Phase 1 can detoxify spent ore collected from Brewery Creek's heap. Their ability to destroy cyanide was compared with that of hydrogen peroxide, the conventional chemical treatment of spent heaps.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Rare earth elements in the Guano-Guayes skarn property Pelly Mountains, Yukon Territory

The Guano-Guayes property, in the St Cyr Range of the Pelly Mountains, covers a skarn about 300 m wide, 70 m thick and 1100 m long. Contact metasomatism of Silurian to Devonian carbonate rocks formed the skarn adjacent to a mafic rich syenite stock coeval with the Seagull Creek volcanic rocks of probably Mississippian age.

Forty Guano-Guayes property rock samples were analysed for rare earth elements (REE) by neutron activation. REE values from syenite, normalized to chondritic values, have a pattern comparable to, but slightly higher than, those from standard crustal rocks. Dikes, cogenetic with syenite, intrude sedimentary rocks within and near the contact metamorphic aureole. These dikes are dark-coloured and originally contained up to 25% zircon, which is now partly altered. The zircon is enriched in total REE and relatively enriched in light REE compared to the syenite, probably by selective partitioning of REE during crystallization of zircon. REE patterns in the skarn and sedimentary rocks suggest that fluids circulated through the syenite and carried trace amounts of REE from the dikes into either skarn or sedimentary rocks.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
The magmatic and structural setting of the Brewery Creek gold mine, central Yukon

The Brewery Creek gold mine (13.3 Mt @ 1.44 g/t Au) is a bulk tonnage, heap leach operation located 57 km east of Dawson City, Yukon. The deposit lies on the northeastern side of the Tintina Fault and within Selwyn Basin.

Gold mineralization is hosted by intrusions of the mid-Cretaceous Tombstone Plutonic Suite (TPS), and Silurian to Carboniferous clastic metasedimentary rocks of the Steel Formation and Earn Group. The sedimentary rocks are faulted and variably folded, however they display poor cleavage development. The TPS intrusions are also faulted and contain rafts of argillaceous sedimentary rock. No regional ductile fabrics were observed to crosscut the intrusions. Five phases of intrusion have been recognized; these are `raft monzonite, feldspar porphyry (FP1), biotite monzonite, a second phase of feldspar porphyry (FP2), and a pyroxenite.

The most important feature at Brewery Creek is a linear zone of monzonite intrusions, faulting and mineralization termed the Reserve trend. This zone trends west-northwest and has a moderate dip to the south. A number of stages and orientations of faulting have been identified along the Reserve trend; lithological relationships suggest a substantial amount of vertical movement occurred post-TPS emplacement and pre- to syn-mineralization.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Bedrock geology compilation of the Anvil District (parts of NTS 105K/2,3,5,6,7 and 11), central Yukon

The Anvil Mining District contains the most westerly exposures of the off-shelf basinal facies (Selwyn Basin) of the Cordilleran miogeocline, a prism of sedimentary rocks of Precambrian to Jurassic age deposited along the relatively stable, passive continental margin of western North America. Anvil District is immediately northeast of the Slide Mountain and Yukon-Tanana Terranes, the most easterly of the allochthonous suspect terranes which were amalgamated with North America starting in Jurassic time. The total interpreted stratigraphic thickness of the metasedimentary rocks of North American affinity is greater than 7400 m, ranging in age from latest Precambrian or earliest Cambrian through Devonian. These metasedimentary rocks consist predominantly of fine clastic sediments deposited in an off-shelf marine basin with local occurrence of euxinic carbonaceous shales and coarser sandstones and conglomerates. Extensive Ordovician within-plate basaltic submarine volcanic rocks and associated epiclastic breccias are indicative of localized rifting along the continental margin.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Surficial geology of Mount Pattison (115J/07), Yukon

The Mount Pattison map area is situated near the southwest flank of the Dawson Range. This unglaciated landscape is highly dissected by summits on Britton Ridge and by the Klotassin River. Streams in the southern and western part of the map area drain into the Nisling River whereas streams in the eastern and northern part of the map area drain into the Klotassin River.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A four stage evolution of the White Channel gravel: Implications for stratigraphy and palaeoclimates

Although the White Channel gravel (WCG) of the Klondike district, Yukon, contains gold placers which have been exploited for over a century, few sedimentological studies have been undertaken. This study reports a four stage evolution of the WCG, comprising:i. An initial downcutting period which preferentially retained gold particles on the base of the strath.ii. An aggradational stage in which gold concentration occurred within sedimentary features.iii. A lacustrine layer representing a depositional hiatus.iv. A final, more rapidly aggrading fluvial stage.Identification of the lacustrine layer has clarified the evolution of the WCG depositional fluvial systems. Architectural element analysis and detailed sedimentological observations have been synthesized to gain a clearer understanding of the spatial variations within the WCG. Additionally, the identification of plant species from pollen within the lacustrine layer provides irrefutable evidence that the Klondike district was at least 7°C warmer during the Pliocene compared to the present.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Thermal imagery and lidar monitoring of ground instability on the Alaska Highway, southwestern Yukon

Permafrost is integral to the landscape of the Yukon, and influences hydrology and ecology, and impacts infrastructure. Accelerated permafrost thaw due to climate change poses significant challenges, particularly for the Alaska Highway, a vital transportation route. This study investigates how thawing permafrost may relate to ground instability, resulting in cracks and deformations along the highway. Thermal infrared imaging, and light detection and ranging (lidar) mounted on remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), along with ground surveys, were completed at three localities along the Alaska Highway between the White River and the community of Beaver Creek, Yukon. Through these surveys, temperature variations and topographic changes were examined. At many locations, the damage is characterized by a 1 to 2 m-wide subsidence feature running longitudinally along the middle of the highway. Associated with these zones of subsidence are potholes, as well as longitudinal and transverse cracks. In places, the system of cracks extends to the edge and shoulder of the highway, suggesting that the cracks and deformation are currently active features.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Multisensor Airborne Geophysical Survey, Stewart River Area (Parts of 115N/7)

In July-September 2000, the Geological Survey of Canada conducted the first phase of a multisensor (gamma-ray spectrometric, magnetic total field, VLF-EM) helicopter-borne geophysical survey in the Stewart River area, Yukon, Canada. Phase 2 surveying was conducted in 2001.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Surficial Geology of Seattle Creek, Central Yukon (115P/16)

Surficial geological map (1:50,000 scale) of Seattle Creek area, central Yukon (NTS 115P/16) including marginal notes on physiography, glacial history, placer gold potential and terrain hazards as well as stream sediment sample locations. Also included are 6 generalized stratigraphic sections.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon