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Diamond Exploration Laboratory Research The Diamond Exploration Lab carries out petrological and mineralogical studies of kimberlites, mantle xenoliths and diamonds. The research focuses on the Slave and Superior cratons and aims to uncover the structure, thermal regime and bulk composition of the diamondiferous upper mantle. The Lab also studies petrology and volcanology of Canadian kimberlites and other primary diamondiferous rocks. Our fundamental research in mantle petrology has very practical implications for the methodology of diamond exploration. All of our graduate students are employed by diamond exploration companies or continue their education in this field.
Our current research includes projects on: Volcanology of the Victor NW kimberlite (N Superior) Diamonds of the Jericho kimberlite (N Slave); Isotopic systematics of Jericho megacrysts (N Slave);
Petrology of
the Snap Lake kimberlite dike (NWT) |
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We are looking for new graduate students who would like to take on
the following projects: Diamonds in Archean conglomerates of Eastern Canada. The project investigates the origin of diamonds in sedimentary
2.7 Ga conglomerates of the Superior craton. It is relatively uncommon to find diamonds in consolidated
sedimentary rocks. What was the primary volcanic rock that transported
diamonds from the mantle? Are diamonds similar to diamonds found in Archean calc-alkaline lamprophyres in this area? These
and other questions will be solved through studies of diamond morphology, infrared spectroscopy and mineral inclusions in diamonds. Mineralogy of diamond-forming fluids. Very rare fibrous diamonds
trap natural diamond-forming fluids in tiny (<0.5 microns) fluid
inclusions. Recently developed crystallographic techniques enable rare
glimpses into deep-seated fluid environment that crystallized diamonds. The
project investigates minerals found as inclusions in fibrous diamonds by
crystallographic and geochemical methods. The research will be conducted in
collaboration with the Bayreuth University (Germany).
Diamond-friendly metasomatism in eclogites. Many
diamondiferous cratonic eclogites
worldwide are metasomatised and recrystallized.
We would like to explore what the nature of this metasomatising
agent is and if it can make diamond. The project will be based on a suite of
diamondiferous eclogites of the Jericho kimberlite (N Slave). |
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Contact information: Maya G. Kopylova
Associate Professor
160 EOS
South Phone: (604) 822-0865
E-mail: mkopylov
@ eos.ubc.ca http://www.eos.ubc.ca/public/people/faculty/M.Kopylov.html Last updated 8 April, 2008 |