Ken Ashton
Contact Info
Research interests
- Metamorphic Petrology
- Geochronology
- Structural Geology
- Tectonics
B.Sc. (University of Toronto), M.Sc. (University of Saskatchewan), Ph.D. (Queen's University)
Principle areas of interest
- Precambrian Geology
- Metamorphic Petrology
- Geochronology
- Structural Geology
- Synthesizing all of the above to determine Tectonic History
Current research
Geology and tectonic history of the southern Rae Province in northern Saskatchewan and the flanking Taltson Orogen and Snowbird Tectonic Zone; A new Metamorphic Map of Saskatchewan
Past appointments
1990-present: Saskatchewan Geological Survey (Project Geologist responsible for mapping in Precambrian Shield of Saskatchewan)
1988-89: Manitoba Energy and Mines (Contract Geologist)
1985-88: Geological Survey of Canada (Contract Geologist)
1974-84: Various summer jobs as geological assistant mainly with Geological Survey of Canada
Memberships
P.Geo. (APEGS Saskatchewan)
Member of the Saskatchewan Geological Society
Courses taught
Geol 315 Metamorphic Petrology
Geol 810 Advanced Metamorphic Petrology
Various Graduate Reading Classes
Co-supervised Various Undergraduate and Graduate Theses (particularly dealing with Precambrian and/or hardrock themes)
Selected Recent Publications
Acosta-Góngora, P., Pehrsson, S.P., Knox, B., Regis, D., Hulbert, L., Creaser, R.A., and Ashton, (2018): Neoarchean convergent margin Ni-Cu mineralization? Axis Lake Nickel King Ni-Cu deposits in the south Rae craton of the Canadian Shield; Precambrian Research, v316, p305-323.
Ashton, K.E. (2024): Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Beaverlodge Uranium District, Northwestern Saskatchewan – Part 1: Geological Setting; Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Report 265, Part 1.
Ashton, K.E. (2024): Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Beaverlodge Uranium District, Northwestern Saskatchewan – Part 2: Economic Geology and Deposit Descriptions; Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Report 265, Part 2.
Ashton, K.E., Hartlaub, R.P., Bethune, K.M., Heaman, L.M., Rayner, N., and Niebergall, G.R. (2013): New depositional age constraints for the Murmac Bay group of the southern Rae craton, Canada; Precambrian Research, v232, p70-88.
Ashton, K.E., Hartlaub, R.P., Heaman, L.M., Morelli, R., Bethune, K.M., and Hunter, R.C. (2009): Post-Taltson sedimentary and intrusive history of the Rae Province along the northern margin of the Athabasca Basin: Western Canadian Shield; Precambrian Research, v175, 16-34.
Berman, R.G., Pehrsson, S., Davis, W.J., Ryan, J.J., Qui, H., and Ashton, K.E. (2013): The Arrowsmith orogeny: geochronological and thermobarometric constraints on its extent and tectonic setting in the Rae craton, with implications for pre-Nuna supercontinent reconstruction; Precambrian Research, v232, p44-69.
Bethune, K.M., Berman, R.G., Rayner, N., and Ashton, K.E. (2013): Structural, petrological and U-Pb SHRIMP geochronological study of the western Beaverlodge domain: Implications for crustal architecture, multi-stage orogenesis and the extent of the Taltson orogen in the SW Rae craton, Canadian Shield; Precambrian Research, v232, p89-118.
Bethune, K.M., Hunter, R.C., and Ashton, K.E. (2010): Age and provenance of the Paleoproterozoic Thluicho Lake Group based on detrital zircon U-Pb SHRIMP geochronology: new insights into the protracted tectonic evolution of the southwestern Rae Province, Canadian Shield; Precambrian Research, v182, p83-100.
Card, C.D., Bethune, K.M., Davis, W.J., Rayner, N., and Ashton, K.E. (2014): The case for a distinct Taltson orogeny: evidence from northwest Saskatchewan, Canada; Precambrian Research, v255, p245-265.
Chi, G., Ashton, K., Deng, T., Xu, D., Li, Z., Song, H., Liang, R. and Kennicott, J. (2020): Comparison of granite-related uranium deposits in the Beaverlodge district (Canada) and South China – A common control of mineralization by coupled shallow and deep-seated geologic processes in an extensional setting; Ore Geology Reviews, v117, p.
Cloutier, M.A., Bethune, K.M., Ashton, K.E., and Deane, J.M.K. (2021): U-Pb geochronology, geochemistry, and isotopic composition of granitoids across the Nolan-Zemlak domain boundary in the SW Rae craton, Laurentia: Evidence for a late Neoarchean suture reworked during Arrowsmith orogeny; Precambrian Research, v362 (2021): 106303.
Deane, J.M.K., Bethune, K.M., Ashton, K.E., Cloutier, M.A. (2024): Tectonic evolution of the South Tazin Lake shear zone; a major Arrowsmith-age (ca. 2.36 Ga) structure in the SW Rae craton, Laurentia; Precambrian Research, v410 (2024): 107459.
Hunter, R.C., Bethune, K.M., Ashton, K.E. and Yeo, G.M. (2010): Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Paleoproterozoic Thluicho Lake Group, southwestern Rae Province, Canada: Alluvial basin development in the hinterland of the Taltson Orogen; Journal of Geology, v118, p487-508.
Liang, R., Chi, G., Ashton, K., Blamey, N. and Fayek, M. (2017): Fluid compositions and P-T conditions of vein-type uranium mineralization in the Beaverlodge uranium district, northern Saskatchewan, Canada; Ore Geology Reviews, v80, p460-483.
Maxeiner, R.O., Bosman, S.A., Card, C.D., Marsh, A., Morelli, R.M., Couëslan, C., Martins, T., Reid, K., Easton, R.M., Knox, B., Mihalynuk, M.G., Ootes, L., Cui, Y., Grobe, M., Guemache, M.A., Lawley, C.J.M., Böhm, C., and Ashton, K.E. (2024): Classifying intrusive and strongly metamorphosed rock units: CLASS – a cooperative lithodemic and stratigraphic system; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v12, p1014-1042.