Volcanologie et géologie économique
Lithogéochimie, mesures multiparamétriques en forage (propriétés physiques, minéralogie par spectrométrie infrarouge, géochimie, imagerie des carottes)
Dr Ross' research interests include mineral deposits associated with volcanic or magmatic activity such as volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits (Cu, Zn, Au, Ag), porphyry systems (Cu, Mo, W, Au), or kimberlites (diamonds), and their geological environment.
For VMS deposits, he employs volcanic reconstruction, chemo-stratigraphy, and studies of hydrothermal alteration through lithogeochemistry and infrared spectrometry.
In physical volcanology, Dr Ross specializes on mafic volcaniclastic rocks, mainly of the submarine or phreatomagmatic types, especially those from maar-diatreme volcanoes. Laboratory experiments can help understand volcanic processes when field work is not sufficient.
Dr Ross has developed and is in charge of the Mobile laboratory for the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of rocks. This lab contains a multi-sensor core logger which can measure nearly simultaneously, at high spatial resolution, in a non-destructive manner, the density, magnetic susceptibility, geochemistry and mineralogy of exploration drill cores.
Diatremes are volcanic pipes filled by volcaniclastic debris. Their surface expressions are called “maars”, which are volcanic craters excavated below the original ground surface. Many kimberlites are diatremes, and kimberlites can contain diamonds. Volcanic processes operating inside diatremes are not well known. Our research program combines field work on well exposed diatremes and experiments. We also intend to verify if the Mobile laboratory for the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of rocks can help discriminate between kimberlite phases which are visually similar but may contain different diamond populations.
Volcanic architecture of the Matagami mining camp, Abitibi Subprovince, Quebec
The Matagami mining camp in the north-central portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Quebec contains numerous VMS deposits and has the potential for several more discoveries. Active exploration by the private sector is ongoing. The current PhD project aims to reconstruct the volcanic architecture of the camp to help mineral exploration.
IOCG systems in the Great Bear magmatic zone
The Geological Survey of Canada’s Great Bear/IOCG project focuses on developing an exploration framework for polymetallic iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits in the Great Bear magmatic zone, a north-trending 450 km-long, volcano-plutonic belt between Great Slave and Great Bear lakes in the Northwest Territories.
Two graduate projects on the mineralogy and geochemistry of IOCG alteration are currently underway at INRS/GSC-Quebec.
Volcanic architecture of the Lemoine Member (Waconichi Formation), Chibougamau area, Abitibi Subprovince, Quebec
We are studying the Waconichi Formation on the Lemoine property in the Chibougamau area. The goal is to better understand the volcanology, chemo-stratigraphy and hydrothermal alteration on the property to help target future VMS exploration and learn about submarine felsic volcanism in the Archean.
Multi-sensor core logging in the Chibougamau area
The Mobile laboratory for the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of rocks is being employed in the Chibougamau area. We are studying the Waconichi and other formations north and south of the Lac Dore Complex.
Geology of the Lalor gold-rich VMS deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba
Auriferous volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits represent significant exploration targets. Their metallic content that combines large amounts of gold and base metals makes them very attractive exploration targets and profitable mining operations. Many of the key features of auriferous VMS deposits have not been fully documented and understood. The Lalor deposit represents a unique opportunity to further improve our knowledge of the Snow Lake belt geologic and metallogenic evolution, the metallogeny of the Proterozoic Eon, and more specifically the metallogeny of gold in VMS systems, which is a key scientific question.
Geochemistry of volcanic rocks in the Blake River Group, Abitibi Subprovince, Quebec
The goal of this project is to use existing and new geochemistry to improve the stratigraphy of the Blake River Group at a regional scale. This will have implications for VMS exploration.
RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS
Volcanology of the Blake River Group, Abitibi Subprovince
This study focused on mafic volcaniclastic rocks in the Blake River Group: their physical volcanology, geochemistry, stratigraphic position, absolute age and origin. Results were recently published as two papers by Ross et al. in CJES (2011) and a number of GSC reports (see above).
Volcanology and metallogeny of the Hébécourt Formation and associated VMS mineralization, Blake River Group, Abitibi Subprovince
This MSc project employed physical volcanology, chemo-stratigraphy, and trace element analysis (LA-ICP-MS) in pyrites from sulfide-bearing stratified intervals to identify volcanic vents and hydrothermal vents ion the Hébécourt property of Cogitore Resources inc. A paper by Rogers et al. has been submited to Econ. Geol.
The porphyry-style Archean Mo-Cu system at Tilly, Baie-James, Quebec
This UQAM-led MSc project, supervised by Michel Jébrak, looked at Sirios Resources Inc.’s Tilly property, where several Mo-Cu ±Au showings occur in an Archean tonalite. Mineralization is found mostly in hydrothermal breccias and stockworks and seems locally associated with porphyritic intrusions.
Multi-sensor core logging in the Matagami mining camp
We used the Mobile laboratory for the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of rocks on drill cores from the Matagami mining camp. Highlights of the project are the ability to identify cryptic contacts using the multiparameter data, the ability to “see” dikes in intense alteration (chloritite) zones, and the ability to differentiate between visually similar less altered lithologies based on the portable XRF data.A paper has been published in Ore Geology Reviews and two are in press at GEEA.
Maars-diatreme volcanoes in Argentina and Montana
Quaternary basalitc maars and Tertiary ultramafic diatremes were studied in Argentina and Montana, respectively. A paper has been published in JVGR.
Volcanology and mineral exploration (GEO1301)
Description: Physical and chemical properties of magmas; lava flows and lava domes; explosive eruptions: processes and products; volcanic edifices; submarine and subglacial volcanism; hydrothermal activity; modification of volcanic rocks (diagenesis, metamorphism, hydrothermal alteration); applications of volcanology to mineral exploration: nickel sulfide deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, kimberlites.
Prof. in charge: P-S Ross
Description: Metallogeny is the study of the genetic processes responsible for generation of mineral deposits. Types of deposits covered include Pb-Zn-Cu in sedimentary basins; magmatic Ni-Cu; IOCG; volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; gold; porphyry deposits.
Prof. in charge: Dr Georges Beaudoin, Université Laval
// 27 novembre 2012
Maar-diatrème à kimberlites
// 6 décembre 2011
// 28 avril 2011
Meilleur mémoire de maîtrise
Dans les médias
// 25 août 2014
// 18 mars 2013
// 26 septembre 2012
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