Constraining the age of deformation and alteration in the Eastern Highlands Shear Zone, Appalachian Mountains

The Eastern Highlands Shear Zone (EHSZ) is a zone of highly strained rocks located in the Cape Breton Island portion (Nova Scotia, Canada) of the Appalachian mountain belt. It is interpreted to separate rock packages of different ages and affinities. Recent field mapping of the EHSZ (this study) has identified deformation fabrics that are diagnostic of intermediate to shallow depths and a zone of associated hydrothermally-altered rocks that may be related to magma-induced poly-metallic mineralization along strike. The EHSZ, therefore, represents the ideal setting to examine how such structures can channel magma and other fluids into the Earth’s upper crust and promote the localization of ore deposits. The hypothesis leading this research project is that the continuous deformation of EHSZ through various crustal levels has provided the regional-scale “plumbing system” to focus magma-related mineralization along an orogen-scale fault that may extend from New Brunswick to Newfoundland.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kyle Larson

Student:

Partner:

University of California, Santa Barbara

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program: