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1. Unglaciated Soils in Yukon
Jeff Bond (YGS), Paul Sandborn (UNBC) and Scott Smith (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada)
In 2005, a project lead by Jeffrey Bond and Paul Sanborn was initiated in the unglaciated areas of west-central Yukon to investigate upland soils. The purpose was to characterize the soils on this old upland surface and to provide insights regarding soil weathering effects on surficial geochemistry. Results from this study showed that despite the age of this surface, colluviation has been effective at keeping soil development youthful. In other words from an exploration geochemistry perspective, it appears that soil development has had minimal impact on the distribution of elements. The more obvious affect on element distribution patterns occurs as a result of the bedrock lithologies within the colluvium, slope aspect variability and the occurrence of loess in the soil as a geochemical dilutant.
As a followup to the 2005 project we are planning to address the process of colluvial dispersion on unglaciated slopes. Both north- and south-facing slopes will be investigated on the Lone Star property near Dawson City. The goal will be to observe how the soils change with slope position and elevation in this environment and to document geochemical dispersion on south- and north-facing slopes. Initial results will be presented at the Yukon Geoscience Forum this November.
For more information on this project, please contact Jeffrey Bond email