Pituffik Titanium Project: Results of 2016 Fieldwork. Ground penetrating radar

In July and August 2016 a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was completed on onshore raised beaches close to Moriusaq, North West Greenland (figure 1). The purpose of the investigation was to increase the baseline knowledge of titanium placer deposits that are currently being explored by FinnAust Mining Plc. Specifically, the aims of the GPR survey were to attempt to:

- map the depth to permafrost
- map the thickness of unconsolidated onshore material at Moriusaq (depth to basement)
- resolve internal structures within the material.

The survey was conducted by GEUS for FinnAust Mining.

The survey comprised 52 GPR lines with a total line length of 31.846 km. The lines were primarily measured perpendicular to the former and present shorelines in a NE-SW direction, and were connected by additional coast-parallel survey lines.

The penetration depth is between 0.5 m and 1.5 m with a mean value of 0.98 m, although 50 % of the penetration depth is between +/- 0.1 m of the mean value of 0.98 m.

A continuous reflection is observed about 1 m depth over a large part of the survey area. Typically the reflection is sub-parallel to the ground surface at c. 1 m depth, though it can be weakly undulating.

Reflections with a seaward dip are observed in a large part of the data. The reflections are most likely seaward dipping surfaces of beach ridges and/or beach planes. The beach ridge system has developed during uplift and it represents a post-glacial regression phase.

A number of other reflection patterns are observed. Some of them are related to poor penetration and lack data quality.