Blaize Briggs HBSc Thesis Abstract

The boundary zone between the Quetico and Wabigoon subprovinces is a complex zone of deformation and metamorphism that is marked by a fault, change in metamorphic grade and lithology. The Quetico-Wabigoon subprovince boundary zone is exposed along Highway 527 within a roughly 23km stretch of highway. At the south end of this zone the DeCourcey Lake outcrop is a strongly foliated, mylonitic rock containing quartz, feldspar, garnet, sillimanite, muscovite, and biotite with pegmatites and boudinaged quartz veins and is classified as part of the Quetico subprovince. The north end of the zone is marked by a weakly foliated conglomerate that displays primary sedimentary textures and is classified as part of the Wabigoon subprovince. Catacalsis was discovered 9.8km north of the DeCourcey Lake outcrop and marks a sharp change between the high-grade amphibolite to granulite facies Quetico rock to the south and sub-greenschist to greenschist facies Wabigoon rock to the north. This cataclasis is evidence for a fault that has not been recorded in previous studies. The fault is mapped parallel to the foliation of the cataclasite. This fault is interpreted to be a boundary fault marking the boundary at this location between the Quetico and Wabigoon subprovince.