Scientists from Russia, the USA, China, Canada and Spain within three years will study the age of geological objects and ascertain the potential capacity of the Siberian fields. Works will be conducted in the new Geochronology and Geodynamics Laboratory of the Tomsk State University (TSU). The TSU has received a 90 million ruble grant on it from the state, the press service of the higher education institution reports.
"The research work in the new laboratory is related to studying large-scale igneous deposit provinces, i.e. areas of enormous magmatic eruptions, which occurred in the process of generation and disintegration of continents and which cover millions of square kilometers. Information about the age and borders of the igneous deposit province (Siberian traprocks in Eastern Siberia) will enable us to predict the potential capacity of minerals in a specific area", - the press service explains.
The TSU researchers point out that large igneous deposit provinces often predetermine generation of minerals, in particular deposits of non-ferrous, precious, ferrous and rare metals, such as nickel, copper, and aluminum, as well as diamonds. Therefore numerous companies are interested in study and accurate establishment of the provinces' age so that they find out what and where may be located.
Scientists will establish the absolute age of rocks and minerals on the basis of isotope analysis. In Russia such work can be done only at the All-Russian Geological Institute in St. Petersburg so far. "Having ascertained the real age of these geological formations, Tomsk scientists will be able to make more accurate geological maps of Siberia, and estimate prospectivity of the deposits, which are already developed, as well as those potentially attractive for investors", - the TSU informed.
The project is headed by scientist Richard Ernst from Canada. Specialists will solve both practical and scientific tasks. In particular, it is planned to study the way igneous deposit provinces were generated and how it influenced the change of the Earth landscape and development of the organic world as such.