Stratigraphy of modern and ancient magma-poor rift margins
The Newfoundland-Iberia conjugate rift system is the type example of magma-poor rifting, but there are many questions about how such rifts evolve and whether or not ancient magma-poor rifts can be identified in the stratigraphic record. Our group is working on the stratigraphy, architecture, and tectonic evolution of the Newfoundland & Portuguese margins to establish modern reference frames and test hypotheses that the Cordilleran, Franklinian, and Iapetan margins of North America resulted from magma-poor rifting. Our investigations integrate field-based studies with laboratory-based geochemistry and geochronology.
Secular evolution and metallogeny of continental margin basins
Lithospheric architecture has a fundamental control on the secular evolution and metallogeny of rifted continental margins. Our group is targeting the stratigraphic record adjacent to key lithospheric structures in western Canada to investigate the driving forces behind non-arc volcanism, basin paleogeography and redox conditions, and sediment-hosted sulphide mineralization. This research is supported by Natural Resources Canada (Geo-mapping for Energy & Minerals Program), Yukon Geological Survey, and NSERC.
Tectonics and paleogeography of ancient orogens
Sedimentary rocks provide an excellent opportunity to understand the precise age, spatial extent, and exhumation histories of mountain belts or orogens. Our current projects in the Canadian Cordillera, Newfoundland Appalachians, Svalbard Caledonides, and Franklinian mobile belt of Arctic Canada are using the stratigraphic record to decipher the tectonic evolution and paleogeography of North America and its ancient continental margins. Our investigations integrate field-based studies with laboratory-based geochemistry and geochronology. This research is supported by Yukon Geological Survey and NSERC.
Reservoir quality and sandstone provenance
Sandstone diagenesis and porosity evolution are impacted greatly by the mineral composition, texture, and source of clastic sediment. Once known, this information allows a better understanding of vertical or lateral stratigraphic changes in reservoir quality that may reduce the risk for petroleum explorationists. Our current field and SEM-MLA laboratory research on reservoir quality and porosity evolution in western Newfoundland and offshore Newfoundland is supported by Nalcor Energy, Department of Natural Resources, and NSERC.