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Deguisier Formation
Stratigraphic label: [narc]dg
Map symbol: nAdg

First published: 18 June 2018
Last modified: 14 June 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translation of original French

 

 

 

 

 

 

Informal subdivision(s)
Numbering does not necessarily reflect the stratigraphic position.
 
nAdg9 Pyrrhotite-pyrite graphitic claystone, siltstone and cherty tuff
nAdg8 Semi-massive sulphides, exhalite, volcaniclastics
nAdg7 Felsic to intermediate volcaniclastics, fine-grained matrix
nAdg6 Felsic to intermediate volcaniclastics, medium to coarse-grained matrix
nAdg5 Gabbroic sill, magnetite basalt and mafic volcaniclastics
nAdg4 Andesite and intermediate to mafic volcaniclastics
nAdg3 Felsic volcanics and volcaniclastics
nAdg2 Basalt and glomerophyric volcaniclastics
nAdg1 Basalt, andesitic basalt and mafic volcaniclastics

 

 

 
Author(s):Dimroth et al., 1973
Age:Neoarchean
Stratotype:None
Type area:Various volcanic units belonging to this formation can be found on NTS sheets 32D07, 32D08, 32D09, 32D10, 32D11, 32C05 and 32C12 north of the Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone. However, the most representative outcrops are found on forest roads of sheets 32D07, 32D08 and 32D10 (Aiguebelle National Park).
Geological province:Superior Province
Geological subdivision:Abitibi Subprovince
Lithology:Volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks
Category:Lithostratigraphic
Rank:Formation
Status:Formal
Use:Active

 

 

 

 

Background

The Deguisier Formation is part of the Kinojévis Group. This group was originally defined by Dimroth et al. (1973) who subdivided it into three formations: the Hunter Mine, Ruisseau Deguisier and Ruisseau Paré formations. More recently, Goutier (1997) redefined the Kinojévis Group to include the Deguisier Formation (nAdg) at the base and the Lanaudière Formation (nAln) at the top, according to its work in the Destor region (sheet 32D07-200-0201). The Deguisier Formation continue eastward in the La Motte Lake (sheet 32D08), La Corne (sheet 32C05) and Senneterre (sheet 32C06) area. The Deguisier Formation is the main unit of the Kinojévis Group and is one of the most important units in sheet 32D10. It occupies the central part of Aiguebelle National Park (Goutier and Melançon, 2003).

 

 

 

Description

The Deguisier Formation consists of Fe-high and Mg-high massive and pillow tholeiitic basalts (nAdg1), thin chert horizons between flows (nAdg6 and nAdg7), lobed tholeiitic rhyolites and mafic to felsic volcaniclastics. Some of these felsic flows and volcaniclstics associated with unit nAdg3 were dated 2719.4 ±1 Ma and 2718.1 ±1.3 Ma (McNicoll, in Pilote et al., 2009). The abundance of gabbroic sills (nAdg5) is the most distinctive character of this formation, coupled with the absence of ultramafic flows and sills. Gabbro is more abundant in the upper (southern) part of the formation. This formation is also characterized by two marker horizons of glomerophyric basalt (nAdg2) in the Duparquet, Destor and Aiguebelle townships (sheet 32D10, Buffam, 1927; Bannerman, 1940; Graham, 1954; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Goutier and Lacroix, 1992). These horizons make it possible to trace the Abijévis Synclinal’s hinge in the SE quarter of Aiguebelle Township (Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979). Volcanic facies and petrography of lava were described in detail in the works of Sanschagrin and Leduc (1979), Leduc (1981) and Sanschagrin (1981).

 

 

 

Deguisier Formation 1 (nAdg1): Basalt, Andesitic Basalt and Mafic Volcaniclastics

This unit is composed of tholeiitic basaltic flows that have all conventional morphofacies: massive, pillowed and brecciated. The thickness of massive flows is commonly between 5 and 10 m. The three morphofacies combined can reach a total thickness of 8 to 15 m (Dimroth et al., 1973; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981). This unit is exceptionally well developed in Aiguebelle National Park (sheets 32D11 and 32D10; see Goutier and Melançon, 2003). The intensity of regional deformation there is very low and the basalt flow architecture is well documented (Dimroth et al., 1973; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981). This unit continues in sheets 32D11, 32D10, 32D09, 32D08 and 32D07; to the east, it extends to sheets 32C05 and 32C12.

 

 

 

Deguisier Formation 2 (nAdg2): Basalt and Glomerophyric Volcaniclastics

Tholeiitic glomerophyric basalt is a special variety of massive to locally pillow basalt. It forms excellent marker horizons, extending from 500 m to 3 km with an average thickness rarely exceeding 100 m (Hocq, 1979). It is characterized by the presence of centimetric whitish clusters of feldspar crystals. This unit is particularly well displayed in Aiguebelle National Park (sheets 32D11 and 32D10; see Goutier and Melançon, 2003).

 

Deguisier Formation 3 (nAdg3): Felsic Volcanics and Volcaniclastics

Formation de Deguisier 3 (nAdg3)Formation de Deguisier 3 (nAdg3)Formation de Deguisier 3 (nAdg3)

This unit forms a large number of small felsic centres scattered throughout the Deguisier Formation (Dimroth et al., 1973; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981; Goutier, 1997; Pilote et al., 2009). These centres are 1 to 2 km long and do not exceed 500 m wide. The largest one intrudes at the junction of sheets 32D08, 32C05 and 32C12 (Pilote et al., 2009). The unit consists of massive to brecciated rhyolitic to dacitic flows, which belong to generally tholeiitic suites (Pilote et al., 2009). In addition, rhyolitic shell breccias are common at the eastern end of sheet 32D08.

 

Deguisier Formation 4 (nAdg4): Andesite and Intermediate to Mafic Volcaniclastics

This unit is located mainly in the southern and eastern parts of the Deguisier Formation (Dimroth et al., 1973; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981; Goutier, 1997; Pilote et al., 2009). It consists of massive to pillowed andesitic flows of thloeiitic affinity, the average thickness of which generally ranges from 7 to 10 m. The summital part of these flows is commonly brecciated along thicknesses ranging from 1 to 10 m. It should be noted that basaltic flows are uncommon in this unit.

 

Deguisier Formation 5 (nAdg5): Gabbroic Sill, Magnetite Basalt and Mafic Volcaniclastics

Over 90% of unit nAdg5 is represented by bulky gabbro sills. These sills can reach lengths exceeding 5 km and thicknesses ranging from 800 to 1200 m (Dimroth et al., 1973; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981; Goutier, 1997; Pilote et al., 2009). Units nAdg1 and nAdg5 alone represent the majority of the lithologies encountered in the Aiguebelle National Park (sheets 32D11 and 32D10; see Goutier and Melançon, 2003). Gabbros of unit Adg5 likely represent feeder pipes of many basaltic flows (Dimroth et al., 1973; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979). They are similar in composition, but are distinguished by coarser grain size. Magnetite basaltic flows and mafic volcaniclastics are marginal parts of the Deguisier Formation.

 

Deguisier Formation 6 (nAdg6): Felsic to Intermediate Volcaniclastics, Medium to Coarse-Grained Matrix

Formation de Deguisier 6 (nAdg6)

Unit nAdg6 is present only in the central part of the Deguisier Formation in Aiguebelle National Park (sheets 32D11 and 32D10; see Hocq, 1979; Goutier and Melançon, 2003). It consists of thin volcaniclastic horizons that vary in composition from felsic to intermediate. These horizons are discontinuous and moderately long (500-3000 m) with thickness ranging from 100 to 500 m (Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979).

 

Deguisier Formation 7 (nAdg7): Felsic to Intermediate Volcaniclastics, Fine-Grained Matrix

Formation de Deguisier 7 (nAdg7)

Unit nAdg7 is very small and occurs in the central-eastern part of the Deguisier Formation (sheets 32D07 and 32D10). It forms relatively continuous marker horizons up to 3 km long and approximately 100 to 300 m wide. This unit consists of felsic to locally intermediate volcaniclastics with a fine-grained matrix (Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979).

 

Deguisier Formation 8 (nAdg8): Semi-Massive Sulphides, Exhalite, Volcaniclastics

Unit nAdg8 is located in the eastern part of the Deguisier Formation (sheet 32D08) and consists of mineralized zone observed at the Newcomex (Figuery Zone) showing. Mineralized horizons were defined by drilling. These are metric horizons rich in semi-massive sulphides (mainly zinc), exhalites and highly silicified volcaniclastics. The lateral extension of these units, according to the numerous drills carried out, does not exceed 500 m.

 

Deguisier Formation 9 (nAdg9):  Pyrrhotite-Pyrite Graphitic Claystone, Siltstone and Cherty Tuff

Unit nAdg9 was encountered in several drills located in the NE corner of sheet 32C05 and NW corner of sheet 32C06. It corresponds to important electromagnetic conductors (“INPUT” type anomalies) noted on geophysical surveys (GSC et al., 2009). This unit consists of graphitic mudstone, siltstone and cherty tuff for a total thickness of 2 to 30 m and a lateral extension of up to several kilometres. Sulphides (pyrrhotite and pyrite) are very common and vary in content (trace-5%). This unit is deformed and generally run by large longitudinal faults, giving it both a stratigraphic and structural marker (allowing position of some large faults to be clarified).

 

Thickness and Distribution

The Deguisier Formation is a package of generally E-W-oriented volcanic and intrusive lithologies with stratigraphic thicknesses ranging from 1 km to nearly 5 km, and affected by the Abijévis Synclinal (Dimroth et al., 1973; Hocq, 1979; Sanschagrin and Leduc, 1979; Leduc, 1981; Sanschagrin, 1981; Goutier, 1997). Various volcanic units belonging to this formation can be found in sheets 32D07, 32D08, 32D09, 32D10, 32D11, 32C05 and 32C12, north of the Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone.

 

Dating

Felsic flows and volcaniclastics (nAdg3) were dated 2719.4 ±1 Ma and 2718.1 ±1.3 Ma (McNicoll in Pilote et al., 2009; sheet 32D08). These ages indicate that the Deguisier Formation was emplaced in a relatively short period of time of ~2 Ma. 

Isotopic SystemMineralCrystallization Age (Ma)(+)(-)Reference(s)
U-PbZircon2719.411McNicoll, in Pilote et al., 2009
U-PbZircon27181.31.3McNicoll, in Pilote et al., 2009

Stratigraphic Relationship(s)

This formation marks the base of the Kinojévis Group. The Deguisier and Lanaudière formations are in fault contact (Aiguebelle Fault) throughout sheets 32C05 to 32D11 over more than 70 km. To the east of the intersection of the Abijévis Synclinal axial plane with the Aiguebelle Fault, volcanics of these two formations show opposite polarities. 

Paleontology

Does not apply.

References

Author(s)TitleYear of PublicationHyperlink (EXAMINE or Other)
BANNERMAN, H.M.Région du lac Lépine, canton de Destor, comté d’Abitibi. Ministère des Mines, Québec; RG 04, 35 pages.1940RG 04
BUFFAM, B.S.W.Destor area, Abitibi county, Quebec. Commission géologique du Canada; Sum. Rept., 1925, Part C, pages 82-104.1927Source
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA – NORANDA EXPLORATION – MINES D’OR VIRGINIACartes géophysiques couleurs Megatem – 32C05. Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec; DP 2008-06,DP 2008-06 5 pages and 4 plans.2009DP 2008-06
DIMROTH, E. – BOIVIN, P. – GOULET, N. – LAROUCHE, M.Tectonic and volcanological studies in the Rouyn-Noranda area. Ministère des richesses naturelles, Québec; DP 138, 59 pages.1973DP 138
GOUTIER, J.Géologie de la région de Destor (SNRC 32D/07-200-0201). Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles, Québec; RG 96-13, 37 pages.1997RG 96-13
GOUTIER, J. – LACROIX, S.Géologie du secteur de la faille de Porcupine-Destor dans les cantons de Destor et Duparquet. Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources, Québec; MB 92-06, 62 pages. 1992MB 92-06
GOUTIER, J. – MELANÇON, M.Géologie du Parc national d’Aiguebelle : « Marchez sur des milliards d’années ». Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles, 1 map.2003GT 2002-01
GRAHAM, B.Parties des cantons d’Hébécourt, de Duparquet et de Destor, comté Abitibi-ouest. Ministère des Mines, Québec; RG-61, 87 pages.1954RG 061
HOCQ, M.Demie nord et quart sud-ouest du canton d’Aiguebelle (comté de Rouyn-Noranda) – rapport d’étape. Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources, Québec; DPV 644, 41 pages.1979DPV 644
LEDUC, M.J.Morphologie des faciès volcaniques et structures associées à des coulées basaltiques du Groupe de Kinojévis, canton d’Aiguebelle, Abitibi. Mémoire de maîtrise, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec, 169 pages.1981Source
PILOTE, P. – McNICOLL, V. – DAIGNEAULT, R. – MOORHEAD, J.Géologie et nouvelles corrélations dans la partie ouest du Groupe de Malartic et dans le Groupe de Kinojévis, Québec. Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles, Québec; MB 2009-09, pages 55-60. 2009MB 2009-09
SANSCHAGRIN, Y.Étude des variations latérales et verticales de faciès dans des coulées de basalte tholéiitique du Groupe de Kinojévis, canton d’Aiguebelle, Abitibi. Mémoire de maîtrise, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec, 114 pages.1981Source
SANSCHAGRIN, Y. – LEDUC, M.Quart sud-est du canton d’Aiguebelle. Ministère des Richesses naturelles, Québec; DPV 676, 45 pages.1979DPV 676

 

 

 

 

12 novembre 2018