Using geochemistry to better understand Mesozoic mountain-building in Yukon

 The bedrock geology of the Yukon is complicated, reflecting more than a billion years of plate tectonic activity that includes the accretion of exotic geologic terranes to the western edge of the continent. Geologists use a diverse set of tools to try and decipher this history. This talk presents new collaborative research on the Mesozoic history of southwestern Yukon that uses a combination of basalt geochemistry, geochronology (dating of minerals), and fault motion restorations to better understand the plate geometries and geologic environments present at the time. It is intended to provide a non-expert with good introduction to the process and theory behind these types of studies.

This talk, by YukonU's Chair of School of Science, Dr. Joel Cubley, is part of a double header presentation for the SCOPe Lunch-and-Learn Webinar Series. 

This series offers SCOPe members and the public an opportunity to hear from those who are leading the charge to generate knowledge that addresses crucial and pressing questions for Yukon and beyond. YukonU's Biology Instructor / Coordinator, Dr. Tara Stehelin, will follow this presentation with a talk regarding Quantifying impacts of climate change on aerial insectivorous birds in the northwest.