A drift isopach model for the southwestern Great Slave Lake region, Northwest Territories, Canada ...

• Main Authors: Smith, I. Rod, Deblonde, Christine, Hagedorn, Grant, Paulen, Roger C.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2022
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified; Northwest Territories; Canada; Great Slave Lake; Pine Point
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21741307; https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_drift_isopach_model_for_the_southwestern_Great_Slave_Lake_region_Northwest_Territories_Canada/21741307

This study produced a drift thickness model for the southwestern Great Slave Lake area of northern Canada, using 12,692 lithostratigraphic records (seismic shothole drillers’ logs, diamond drill holes, petroleum wells), and field observations. Numerous algorithms and modelling parameters were tested using 6122 records of absolute drift thickness, and based on a cross-validation analysis, an empirical Bayesian kriging K-Bessel detrended algorithm was found to produce the best fit. The final model, incorporating selected maximum and minimum thickness estimate data, produced a root mean square error of 4.98 m, with 94.8% of the data points within ±2 m of the modelled drift thicknesses. The model identifies widespread areas of drift >10 m thick, and prominent southeast-northwest aligned bedrock ramps. Karst structures buried by ≤73 m of drift were identified southwest of Great Slave Lake and appear to be aligned with regional fault systems like ore-associated karst at Pine Point. These may be the source of ...