The effect of deglacial meltwater processes on kimberlite indicator mineral concentrations in glacial sediments

Successful diamond exploration projects in glaciated terrain depend on effective drift prospecting methods. This thesis assesses the effects of deglacial meltwater on kimberlite indicator mineral contents in subglacial meltwater corridor sediments. Located 100 km west of Lac de Gras, NWT, the study area has diamond potential and contains subglacial meltwater corridors and unmodified till. A 1:15 000 surficial geology map was produced. Meltwater corridors bisect areas of till veneer and blanket and contain glaciofluvial deposits including eskers and glaciofluvial hummocks. These hummocks form by subglacial meltwater erosion of till and rapid deposition. Till has more silt and clay than meltwater-affected sediments; this affects normalization of analytical results with glaciofluvial hummocks containing higher counts of pyropes. Identification of subglacial meltwater corridor sediments including glaciofluvial hummocks is crucial as they have different compositions and transport histories than till. These differences must be considered when interpreting surficial exploration datasets and planning sampling programs.