Mary’s honours project focused on the crustal evolution of the Northeastern Superior Province in northern Canada, based on the analysis of zircon minerals. She needed to separate the zircons minerals that are typically 100 microns in size, from the rock samples, and then mount and polish them before proceeding with the analysis. Using cathodoluminescence (CL) and Backscattered-Electron (BSE) imaging as well as uranium, lead and hafnium isotopes in 120 zircon grains per samples, she was able to interpret their age and the nature of the samples’ parent materials, as well as when these sources were extracted from the mantle. Conclusively, the magmatic ages obtained indicate that a greater portion of Mesoarchean and Paleoarchean crust exists in the Northeastern Superior Province than previously mapped. She could also demonstrate a shift in zircon isotopic composition suggesting a change in crustal process between 3.3 and 3.0 billion years ago.
Mary’s accomplishments and her passion for geology are the result not only of her hard work and dedication, but also of her supportive network. She is very thankful to Prof. O’Neil and graduate student Christian Sole for their guidance during her research project. She also acknowledges the amazing opportunities Professor Bill Arnott offered her over the past few summers by welcoming her as an NSERC-USRA student to study deep marine sedimentary sequences. Mary thanks Celeste Cunningham and the Windermere field group by sharing, “from practical technical skills to simple life lessons to sheltering from thunderstorms dropping granule sized hailstones, I enjoyed every minute of it.” Finally, she thanks Ross Knight, Hazen Russell and Beth McClenaghan at the Geological Survey of Canada for fueling her passion for geology. She says, “You all rock! (Pun intended).”
In spring 2021, Mary will complete her Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Geology and a minor in Mathematics. She intends to continue conducting research, and has in fact been accepted into a Master’s of Geological Sciences program at the University of British Columbia starting in fall 2021. In the meantime, Mary secured a part-time position with the Association of Applied Geochemists.
Besides analyzing rocks and writing impressive academic papers, Mary enjoys staying active by bouldering, horseback riding and dancing with the Ottawa Swing Dance Society and SwingUO. She also took intermediate swimming lessons at uOttawa to prepare for a field school focused on carbonate reef systems.
