An Application of Pleistocene Geology to Mineral Exploration in Southwestern Nova Scotia

Abstract

An esker complex near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia has been investigated to determine the mode of origin of the eskers and to evaluate their usage in mineral exploration. Field work involved describing sections through eskers, boulder counts, collecting esker materials, and geochemical sampling. Lab work involved grain size analysis, heavy mineral identification and geochemical analysis.

Stratigraphic units of glaciofluvial material within the eskers range from well sorted sandy units to poorly sorted units containing clay to boulder size material. The eskers appear to have formed in subglacial tunnels and are composed of a series of nodes or beads of massive material connected by a topographically lower ridge of relatively well sorted material.

Most esker material is derived from local bedrock and the presence of mineralized clasts in eskers may be used to define regions of interest for mineral exploration. Geochemical sampling for elements of As, Zn, Cu and Pb in the hydromorphic dispersal zone of eskers appears to indicate the abundance of mineralized clasts presents. This type of geochemical sampling may be useful in areas where exposure to esker material is masked by a cover of vegetation.

Keywords: Pages: 119 Supervisor: Marcos Zentilli