资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Integrated processing and interpretation of high-resolution aeromagnetic and two-dimensional (2-D) seismic-reflection data in the Athabasca region, near Buffalo Creek, northeastern Alberta (368500 Easting and 6252380 Northing, North American Datum of 1927, Zone 12), reveal the existence of a set of buried southwest-northeast-striking (N59 degrees E +/- 11 degrees) magnetic lineaments. The anomaly signature of these features on the aeromagnetic data appears to range between 5 and 20 nT in amplitude. These anomalies are recognized by narrow vertical disturbance zones on the 2-D seismic profiles. We believe these lineaments are dike-like igneous bodies and refer to them as the Buffalo Creek dike field. Forward magnetic modeling indicates the depth of the dikes to be more than 200 m, and they are intruded into Western Canadian sedimentary basin strata. The magnetic model and seismic evidence suggest that the intrusion could have been produced at any time in the interval from the Frasnian to the Aptian. The proximity of the Buffalo Creek dike field to the Birch Mountain field may suggest that they could have identical origin and be related to subduction of the Farallon plate under the west coast of the North American plate.