Helicopter (right) dropping off field party in Thelon Basin (August, 2008) and field party logging core stored in remote location, Thelon Basin (August 2008).
photo of people logging core		 photo of helicopter
 
Ancient Sedimentary Basin Analysis:

As part of a multidisiplinary team headed by Kurt Kyser at Queen's University involved in the analysis of ancient sedimentary basins, I have developed sequence stratigraphic and paleohydrologic models for the sedimentary rocks of basins, such as the Athabasca and Thelon basins of northern Canada, and the Kombolgie Basin of northern Australia. These Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.7 Ga) basins are of great economic importance because they host, or potentially host in the case of the Thelon, large, unconformity-type uranium deposits. My work involves developing sequence stratigraphic models for each of these basins using the sedimentology of these siliciclastic-dominated systems, and integration of the diagenetic changes that have affected these rocks to track the evolution of paleoaquifer systems in these basins. These Proterozoic basins are on the frontiers of basin analysis and represent unique opportunities to understand how siliciclastic systems responded to tectonic and climate variables.

My basin research has included:

  • Roraima Basin, Guyana
  • Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan
  • Thelon, Basin Nunvut and Northwest Territories
  • Kombolgie sub-basin of the McArthur Basin, Australia
  • Sibley Basin, Ontario
  • Deer Lake Basin, Newfoundland
  • Central Mineral Belt, Labrador
  • Otish Basin, Quebec
  • Cenozoic basins in eastern Wyoming
  • Sioux Basin, North Dakota and Minnesota
  • Labrador Trough, Quebec and Labrador
  • Baraga Basin, U.P. Michigan

Related Publications and Presentations:

Alexandre, P., Kyser, K., Layton-Matthews, D., Beyer, S.R., Hiatt, E.E., Lafontaine, J., 2015, Formation of the enigmatic Matoush uranium deposit in the Paleoprotozoic Otish Basin, Quebec, Canada: Mineralium Deposita, published online Feb. 3, 2015, DOI 10.1007/s00126-014-0569-5.

Eriksson, P.G., Banerjee, S., Catuneanu, O., Corcoran, P.L., Eriksson, K.E., Hiatt, E.E., Laflamme, M., Lenhardt, N., Long, D.G.F., Miall, A.D., Mints, M.V., Pufahl, P.K., Sarkar, S., Simpson, E.L., Williams, G.E., 2013, Secular changes in sedimentation systems and sequence stratigraphy: Gondwana Research, Special Issue, V. 24, no. 2, p. 468-489.

Beyer, S.R., Kyser, K., Hiatt, E.E., Polito, P.A., Alexandre, P., & Hoksbergen, K., 2012, Basin Evolution and Unconformity-Related Uranium Mineralization: The Camie River U Prospect, Paleoproterozoic Otish Basin, Quebec: Economic Geology, v. 107, p. 401-425.

Beyer, S.R., Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, T.K., Dalrymple, R. W., Pettman, C., 2011, Hydrogeology, sequence stratigraphy and diagenesis in the Paleoproterozoic western Thelon Basin: Influences on unconformity-related uranium mineralization: Precambrian Research, v. 187, p. 293-312.

Polito, P.A., Kyser, T.K., Alexandre, P., Hiatt, E.E. and Stanley, C., 2011, Advances in understanding the Kombolgie Subgroup and Unconformity-Related Uranium Deposits in the Alligator Rivers Uranium Field and how to explore for them using lithogeochemical principles: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 58, no. 5, p. 453-474.

Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, T.K., Pufahl, P.K., and Beyer, S.R., 2011, Oxygenation of the atmosphere and unconformity-related uranium mineralization: GAC-MAC Joint Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Abstracts, v. 34, p. 91.

Beyer, S.R., Kyser, T.K., Hiatt, E.E., 2011, Evidence for multiple fluid events in the Paleoproterozoic Otish Basin, Quebec: the Camie River Unconformity-related uranium prospect: GAC-MAC Joint Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Abstracts, v. 34, p. 18.

Beyer, S.R., Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, K., and Alexandre, P., 2011, The Application of Stable-Isotope Geochemistry to Sedimentary Basin Analysis and Uranium Exploration: ASITA: Advances in Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications: June 12 –June 15, 2011, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, p. 10.

Hiatt, Eric E., Palmer, S.E., Kyser, T.K. and O’Connor, T.K., 2010, Basin evolution, diagenesis and uranium mineralization in the Paleoproterozic Thelon Basin, Nunavut, Canada: Basin Research, v. 22, p. 302-323.3.

Beyer, S.R., Kyser, K., Hiatt, E.E., Fraser, I., 2010, Geological evolution and exploration geochemistry of the Boomerang Lake unconformity-type uranium prospect, Northwest Territories, Canada, in Goldfarb, R.J., Marsh, E.E., and Monecke, T., eds., The challenge of finding new mineral resources: global metallogeny, innovative exploration, and new discoveries: Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication, number 15, volume II: zinc-lead, nickel-copper-PGE, and uranium, p. 675-702.

Beyer, S.R., Kyser, T.K., Hiatt, E.E., Pettman, C., Fraser, I., O’Connor, T.K., 2010, Applying the concept of ‘holistic’ basin analysis to unconformity-related uranium prospects in under-explored Paleoproterozoic basins: GeoCanada GAC-MAC Joint Assembly Meeting, Calgary.

*Beyer, S.R., Kyser, K., Hiatt, E.E., Fraser, I., Geological evolution and exploration geochemistry of the Boomerang Lake unconformity-type uranium prospect, Northwest Territories, Canada: 2010 Society of Economic Geologists Meeting in Keystone, Colorado, USA. * Invited presentation

Hiatt, Eric E., Kyser, T.K. Fayek, M., Polito, P., Holk, G.J., Riciputi, L.R., 2007, Early quartz cements and evolution of paleohydraulic properties of basal sandstones in three Paleoproterozoic continental basins: evidence from in situ d18O analysis of quartz cements: Chemical Geology, v. 238, p. 19-37.

Hiatt, Eric E. and Kyser, T. Kurt, 2007, Sequence stratigraphy and hydrostratigraphy in the Proterozoic Manitou Falls Formation, Eastern Athabasca Basin: implications for mineralising fluid flow: in Jefferson, C.A. and Delaney, G., (eds.), Geology and Uranium Exploration technology of the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and Alberta: Geological Survey of Canada Bulletin 588, 643 p.

Hiatt, E.E. and Kyser, K., 2008, Basin architecture, hydrostratigraphy and basin evolution in the development of unconformity-type uranium mineralization: examples from three Proterozoic continental sedimentary basins: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Quebec, Abstracts, v. 33, p. 72-73.

Beyer, S.R., Kyser, K., Hiatt, E.E., Fraser, I., 2008, The Boomerang Lake unconformity-related uranium prospect, western Thelon Basin, N.W.T., Canada: a true Athabasca analogue?: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Quebec, Abstracts, v. 33, p. 21.

Hanly, A.J., Kyser, T.K., Hiatt, E.E., Marlatt, J., Foster, S., 2006, The uranium mineralization potential of the Paleoproterozoic Sioux Basin and its relationship to other basins in the southern Lake Superior region: Precambrian Research, v. 148, no. 1-2, p. 125-144.

Hanly, Adrienne, Kyser, Kurt, Hiatt, Eric, Marlatt, Jim, 2006, Using holistic basin analysis to evaluate the potential of Proterozoic basins to host unconformity-type uranium: A comparison of the North American Sibley, Sioux, and Athabasca Basins: Extended abstracts, 12th Quadrennial Iagod Symposium 2006. Understanding the genesis of ore deposits to meet the demands of the 21st century, Moscow, Russia, p. 4.

Palmer, Sarah E., Kyser, T. Kurt and Hiatt, Eric E., 2004, Provenance of the Proterozoic Thelon Basin, Nunavut, from detrital zircon and quartz populations: Precambrian Research, v. 129, no. 1-2, p. 115-140.

Hanly, A.J., Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, K., and Marlatt, J., 2004, The age and fluid characteristics of the Sibley Basin and its relationship to other Proterozoic basins on the Canadian Shield: Geological Association of Canada and Mineralogical Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Abstracts with programs, v. 29. p. 451.

Hiatt, Eric E., Kyser, T.K., Dalrymple, R.W., 2003, Relationships among sedimentology, stratigraphy and diagenesis in the Proterozoic Thelon Basin, Nunavut, Canada: implications for paleo-aquifers and sedimentary-hosted mineral deposits: The Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 80, no. 2-3, p. 221-240.

Kyser, T.K. and Hiatt, Eric E., 2003, Fluids in Sedimentary Basins: An Introduction: The Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 80, no. 2-3, p. 139-149.

Holk, G.J., Kyser, T.K., Chipley, D., Hiatt, Eric E. and Marlatt, J., 2003, Mobile Pb-Isotopes in Proterozoic sedimentary basins as guides for exploration of uranium deposits: The Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 80, no. 2-3, p. 297-320.

Hanly, Adrienne, Geboy, Nicholas J., Hiatt, Eric E., and Kyser, T. Kurt, 2003, Diagenesis, stratigraphy, paleohydrology, and lead isotope study of the Proterozoic Sibley Group, western Ontario: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, No. 6, p. 234.

Kyser, T.K., Polito, P.A., Holk, G.J., and Hiatt, E.E., 2003, Pb-isotope ratios in sandstones near unconformity-related uranium deposits in Australia - a guide for exploration: Association of Exploration Geochemists' 21st International Geochemical Exploration Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, p. 75.

Hiatt, E.E. and Kyser, K., 2002, Sequence stratigraphy and basin analysis of the Paleoproterozoic Kombolgie Basin, Northern Territory, Australia: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Programs Vol. 34, No. 6, p. 278.

Hiatt, E.E., Fayek, M., Kyser, T.K., Polito, P., 2001, The importance of early quartz cementation events in the evolution of aquifer properties of ancient sandstones: isotopic evidence from ion probe analysis of sandstones from the McArthur, Athabasca, and Thelon basins: GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 33, No. 6, p. A74.

Hiatt, E.E., 2000, Sedimentology and Sequence Stratigraphy in Basin Analysis and Paleohydrologic Studies: p. 19-38 in Kyser, K., (ed.) Fluids and Basin Evolution, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 262 p.

Hiatt, E.E. and Kyser, T.K., 2000, Links between Depositional and Diagenetic Processes in Basin Analysis: Porosity and Permeability Evolution in Sedimentary Rocks: p. 63-92 in Kyser, K., (ed.) Fluids and Basin Evolution, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 262 p.

Hiatt, E.E. and Kyser, T.K., 2000, Sequence stratigraphy of Paleoproterozoic sedimentary successions: the relationships between basin evolution, systems tracts and paleohydrology in non-actualistic depositional systems: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Abstracts, v. 25.

Kyser, T.K., Hiatt, E.E., Renac, C., Durocher, K., Holk, G.J., Deckart, K., 2000, Diagenetic fluids in paleo- and meso-Proterozoic sedimentary basins and their implications for long protracted fluid histories: p. 225-262 in Kyser, K., (ed.) Fluids and Basin Evolution, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 262 p.

Kyser, T.K. , Renac, C., Hiatt, E.E., Holk, G.J., Durocher, K., 2000, Comparison of diagenetic fluids in Proterozoic basins, Canada and Australia: Implications for long, protracted fluid histories in stable intracratonic basins: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Calgary, Albert, Abstracts, v. 25.

Hiatt, E.E., Kyser, K., Dalrymple, R.W., 1999, Sequence stratigraphy of the Proterozoic Thelon Formation, Nunavut Territory, Canada: accommodation space and systems tracts in an ancient fluvial-dominated clastic system: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, no. 7, p. 424.

Durocher, K., Kyser, K., Hiatt, E. E., Holk, G. J., and Palmer, S.,1999. Silicification in Paleoproterozoic basins: Fluid flow histories and cation exchange in authigenic illite; Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 31, no. 7, p. 341.

Kyser, K., Hiatt, E.E., and Holk, G., 1999, Timing and origin of fluids in ancient basins and their effect on the formation of ore deposits: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Annual Meeting Abstracts, v. 24, p. 65.

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