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Don Murphy
Acting Head, Regional Mapping
Don Murphy is the Acting Head of Regional Mapping at the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS). He came to the Yukon from Vancouver, BC where he had completed a term as a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada, following up post-doctoral research in the Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia. His career has included mapping-based research projects in Venezuela and the Great Basin of the western United States in addition to work in British Columbia and Yukon. Don has a PhD from Carleton University (1985), an MSc from Stanford University (1980) and a BSc from the University of Pennsylvania (1976).
Since starting with YGS at its inception in 1992, Don has completed a regional mapping project in the ‘McQuesten Mineral Belt’ of western Selwyn Basin looking at the potential for syngenetic mineral deposits and investigating the granitoid-related gold deposits of that area. The complexly deformed and metamorphosed rocks of Yukon-Tanana Terrane’s Finlayson Lake massive sulphide district are his current focus. This work is part of YGS's contribution to the Geological Survey of Canada’s (GSC) Ancient Pacific Margin National Mapping Program (NATMAP) project, a multi-agency, multidisciplinary investigation into the geological evolution and mineral deposits of the so-called pericratonic terrane from Alaska to southern British Columbia. Other partners in this project include the GSC, British Columbia Geological Survey, US Geological Survey, Alaska State Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and faculty members at various universities. In 2001, Don coordinated the base-camp-and- contract-helicopter-supported GSC-YGP Targeted Geoscience Initiative bedrock mapping and till geochemistry project in the Finlayson Lake area which completed the data collection phase of the Finlayson Lake study.
Papers in refereed journals
Groat, L.A., Marshall, D.D., Giuliani, G., MURPHY, D.C., Piercey, S.J., Jambor, J.L., Mortensen, J.K., Ercit, T.S., Gault, R.A., Mattey, D.P., Schwarz, D., Maluski, H., Wise, M.A., Wengzynowski, W., and Eaton, D.W. 2002. Mineralogical and geochemical study of the Regal Ridge emerald showing, southeastern Yukon. The Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 40, p. 1313-1338.
Piercey, S.J., Mortensen, J.K., MURPHY, D.C., Paradis, S., and Creaser, R.A. 2002. Geochemistry and tectonic significance of alkalic mafic magmatism in the Yukon-Tanana terrane, Finlayson Lake region, Yukon. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 39, p.1729-1744.
Piercey, S.J., Paradis, S., MURPHY, D.C., and Mortensen, J.K., 2001. Geochemistry and paleotectonic setting of felsic volcanic rocks in the Finlayson Lake volcanic-hosted massive sulfide district, Yukon, Canada. Economic Geology, vol. 96, p.1877-1905.
Piercey, S.J., MURPHY, D.C., Mortensen, J.K. and Paradis, S., 2001. Boninitic magmatism in a continental margin setting, Yukon-Tanana terrane, southeastern Yukon, Canada. Geology, vol. 29, p. 731-734.
Mihalynuk, M.G., Nelson, J., MURPHY, D.C., Brew, D.A. and Erdmer, P., 1999. Structural and kinematic evolution of Yukon-Tanana upland tectonites, east-central Alaska: a record of Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic crustal assembly: Discussion and Reply. Geological Society of America Bulletin, vol. 111, p. 1416-1412
MURPHY, D.C., van der Heyden, P., Parrish, R.R., Klepacki, D.W., McMillan, W., Struik, L.C., and Gabites, J., 1995. New geological constraints on Jurassic deformation of the western edge of North America, southeastern Canadian Cordillera. In: Miller, D.M. and Busby, C., Jurassic Magmatism and Tectonics of the North American Cordillera: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 299, p. 159-171.
Ricketts, B., Evenchick, C.A., Anderson, R.G, and MURPHY, D.C. 1992. Bowser Basin, northern British Columbia: constraints on the timing of initial subsidence and Stikinia/North America interactions. Geology, vol. 20, p. 1119-1122.
MURPHY, D.C., Walker, R.T, and Parrish, R.R. 1991. Age and geological setting of Gold Creek Gneiss, crystalline basement to the Windermere Supergroup, Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 28, p. 1217-1231.
1MURPHY, D.C. 1989. Crustal paleo-rheology of the southeastern Canadian Cordillera and its influence on the kinematics of Jurassic convergence. Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 94, p. 15,723-15,739.
Ross, G.M. and MURPHY, D.C. 1988. Anoxia and regional correlations in the late Precambrian Windermere Grit of the Southern Canadian Cordillera. Geology, vol. 16, p. 139-143.
MURPHY, D.C. 1987. Suprastructure/infrastructure transition, east-central Cariboo Mts., British Columbia: geometry, kinematics, and tectonic implications. Journal of Structural Geology, vol. 9, p. 13-29.
Ranalli, G. and MURPHY, D.C. 1987. Rheological stratification of the lithosphere. Tectonophysics, vol. 132, p. 281-295.
Brown, R.L., Journeay, J.M., Lane, L.S., MURPHY, D.C., and Rees, C.J. 1986. Obduction, backfolding, and piggyback thrusting in the metamorphic hinterland of the southeastern Canadian Cordillera. Journal of Structural Geology, vol. 8, p. 255-268.
2Brown, R.L. and MURPHY, D.C. 1982. Kinematic interpretation of mylonitic rocks in part of the Columbia River fault zone, Shuswap terrane, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 19, p. 456-465.
Papers published by geological surveys
MURPHY, D.C., 2001. Yukon-Tanana Terrane in southwestern Frances Lake area (105H/3, 4, and 5), southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2000, D.S. Emond and L.H. Weston (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 217-233.
MURPHY, D.C. and Piercey, S.J., 2000. Syn-mineralization faults and their re-activation, Finlayson Lake massive sulphide district, Yukon-Tanana Terrane, southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1999, D.S. Emond and L.H. Weston (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 55-66.
Nelson, J.L., Mihalynuk, M.G., MURPHY, D.C., Colpron, M., Roots, C.F., Mortensen, J.K., and Friedman, R.M., 2000. Ancient Pacific Margin: A preliminary comparison of potential VMS-hosting successions of the Yukon-Tanana Terrane, from Finlayson Lake district to northern British Columbia. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1999, D.S. Emond and L.H. Weston (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 79-86 (also In: Geological Fieldwork 1999, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines, Paper 2000-1, p. 21-28).
Piercey, S.J. and MURPHY, D.C., 2000. Stratigraphy and regional implications of unstrained Devono-Mississippian volcanic rocks in the Money Creek Thrust Sheet, Yukon-Tanana Terrane, southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1999, D.S. Emond and L.H. Weston (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 67-78.
Piercey, S.J., MURPHY, D.C., Mortensen, J.K., and Paradis, S., 2000. Arc-rifting and ensialic back-arc basin magmatism in the northern Canadian Cordillera: evidence from the Yukon-Tanana terrane, Finlayson Lake region, Yukon. In: Slave-Northern Cordilleran Lithospheric Experiment (SNORCLE)-Lithoprobe Report 72: Vancouver, British Columbia, Lithoprobe Secretariat, p.129-138.
MURPHY, D.C. and Piercey, S.J., 1999b. Finlayson Project: Geological evolution of Yukon-Tanana Terrane and its relationship to the Campbell Range belt, northern Wolverine Lake map area, southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1998, D.S. Emond and C.F. Roots (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 47-62.
Piercey, S.J., Hunt, J.A., and MURPHY, D.C., 1999. Lithogeochemistry of meta-volcanic rocks from Yukon-Tanana Terrane, Finlayson Lake region, Yukon: Preliminary results. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1998, D.S. Emond and C.F. Roots (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 125-138.
MURPHY, D.C., 1998. Stratigraphic framework for syngenetic mineral occurrences, Yukon-Tanana Terrane south of Finlayson Lake: A progress report. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1997, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 51-58.
Poulsen, K.H., Mortensen, J.K. and MURPHY, D.C., 1997. Styles of intrusion-related gold mineralization in the Dawson-Mayo area, Yukon Territory. In: Current Research 1997-A, Geological Survey of Canada, p. 1-10.
MURPHY, D.C. and Timmerman, J.R.M., 1997. Preliminary geology of the northeast third of Grass Lakes map area (105G/7), Pelly Mountains, southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1996, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 62-73.
MURPHY, D.C. (with contributions from M.L. Bevier, D. Héon, J.A. Hunt, J.K. Mortensen, W.H. Poole and C.F. Roots), 1997. Geology of the McQuesten River region, northern McQuesten and Mayo map areas, Yukon Territory (115P/14, 15, 16; 105M/13, 14). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Bulletin 6, 122 p.
MURPHY, D.C. and Héon, D., 1994. Geology and mineral occurrences of Sprague Creek map area (115P/15), western Selwyn Basin. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1993, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 29-46.
MURPHY, D.C., Héon, D. and Hunt, J., 1993. Geological overview of Clear Creek map area (NTS 115P/14), western Selwyn Basin. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1992, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 61-69.
Roots, C.F. and MURPHY, D.C. 1992. New developments in the geology of Mayo map area (NTS 105M), Yukon. In: Current Research, Part A, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 92-1A, p. 163-171.
Maps published by geological surveys
Bond, J.D., MURPHY, D.C., Colpron, M., Gordey, S.P., Plouffe, A., Roots, C.F., Lipovsky, P.S., Stronghill, G., and Abbott, J.G., 2002. Digital compilation of bedrock geology and till geochemistry of northern Finlayson Lake area, southeastern Yukon (105G). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 2002-7(D) and Geological Survey of Canada Open File 4243.
MURPHY, D.C., Colpron, M., Gordey, S.P., Roots, C., Abbott, J.G. and Lipovsky, P.S., 2001. Preliminary bedrock geological map of northern Finlayson Lake area (NTS 105G), Yukon Territory (1:100 000 scale). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 2001-33.
MURPHY, D.C., 2000a. Preliminary geological map of part of the Klatsa River area (105H/3), southeastern Yukon (1:50 000 scale). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 2000-15.
MURPHY, D.C., 2000b. Preliminary geological map of part of the ‘Tuchitua River-north' (105H/4), southeastern Yukon (1:50 000 scale). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 2000-15.
MURPHY, D.C., 2000c. Preliminary geological map of part of the Money Creek area (105H/5), southeastern Yukon (1:50 000 scale). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 2000-15.
MURPHY, D.C. and Piercey, S.J., 1999a. Geological map of Wolverine Lake area, Pelly Mountains (NTS 105G/8), southeastern Yukon. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open-File 1999-3 (1:50 000-scale).
MURPHY, D.C. and Piercey, S.J., 1999c. Geological map of parts of Finlayson Lake (105G/7, 8 and parts of 1, 2, and 9) and Frances Lake (parts of 105H/5 and 12) areas, southeastern Yukon. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open-File 1999-4 (1:100 000-scale).
MURPHY, D.C., 1997. Preliminary geological map of Grass Lakes area, Pelly Mountains, southeastern Yukon (105G/7). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Open File 1997-3, 1:50 000-scale.
MURPHY, D.C., and Héon, D. 1995. Geological map of Seattle Creek map area (115P/16), western Selwyn Basin. Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Open File 1995-3(G).
MURPHY, D.C., and Héon, D., 1994. Geological map of Sprague Creek map area (115P/15), western Selwyn Basin, Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Open File 1994-3(G).
MURPHY, D.C., Héon, D. and Hunt, J. 1993. Geological map of Clear Creek map area (115P/14), Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Open File 1993-1(G).
Hunt, J., MURPHY, D.C., Roots, C.F., and Poole, W., 1993. Geological map of Mt. Haldane map area, (105M/13), Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Open File 1993-4(G).
MURPHY, D.C. and Roots, C.F. 1992. Geology of Keno Hill map area, Yukon (105M/14). Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Open File 1992-3.