Qualitative assessment of petroleum potential in Lancaster Sound region, Nunavut

Atkinson, E A; Fustic, Milovan; Hanna, M C; Lister, C J

doi:10.4095/305321

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The proposed correlation of strata under Eclipse Sound and Pond Inlet with Bylot Supergroup suggests that Borden basin strata are more widespread than previously mapped, and highlights the possibility that they may be preserved in grabens farther to the east, under Baffin Bay. This is of economic interest because Bylot Supergroup strata include all of the elements necessary for a petroleum system (up to 9% total organic carbon; Turner and Kamber 2012), although they are considered less prospective for hydrocarbons than Paleozoic and younger formations (Atkinson et al 2017;Fustic et al 2017).…”

Section: Mesoproterozoic Strata and Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Baffin Bay -Lancaster Sound region of northeastern Nunavut ( Fig. 1) is considered to have significant petroleum resource potential, despite its lack of exploration wells (Smith et al 1989;Harrison et al 2011;Brent et al 2013;Atkinson et al 2017). On adjacent Bylot Island and northern Baffin Island, where Archean to Paleoproterozoic metamorphic rocks of the Committee Belt and overlying Mesoproterozoic strata are exposed, there are areas of high mineral potential (Jackson and Sangster 1987;Sangster 1998;Harrison et al 2020; e.g., Archean Mary River Iron Mine and Proterozoic carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb Nanisivik Mine).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Offshore bedrock geology of Eclipse Sound and Pond Inlet: connecting the structure and stratigraphy of Bylot and northern Baffin islands

2020

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Understanding the Mesoproterozoic and younger structural history of the Eclipse Sound/Pond Inlet area is essential for the interpretation of its Archean to Paleoproterozoic geological history and could have important implications for mineral and petroleum exploration models in the northern Baffin Bay area. The identification of potentially active faults is critical for understanding possible earthquake-related hazards in the area. The integrated interpretation of 1970s-vintage marine seismic data with hill-shaded bathymetry, aeromagnetic data, and onshore geology maps has facilitated the identification of probable Mesoproterozoic (Bylot Supergroup) to Holocene strata on and below the seafloor and a suite of episodically reactivated northwest-striking horst- and graben-bounding normal faults and fault zones. Fault displacement likely occurred during the development of the Mesoproterozoic Borden basin and the Cretaceous-Paleogene opening of Baffin Bay, and in some cases may continue today. Some faults become more west-trending toward the south, which requires parts of these faults to have intermittently accommodated transtensional and/or transpressional motion, possibly explaining local folds and out-of-graben thrusting. Numerous previously unrecognised faults have been documented, with faults beneath Eclipse Sound (Eclipse Trough) spaced at 5 to 7 km intervals, and at least one fault zone (Cape Hay Fault Zone) that appears to be at least 250 km in length, suggesting faults of similar spacing and scale may be present under Baffin Bay. This study uses a multi-thematic office-based methodology that inexpensively, and with little environmental impact, facilitates the mapping of structures that intersect the seafloor in areas where glaciers have exposed bedrock.

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Section: Mesoproterozoic Strata and Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%