Scientists probe earth’s crust to discover geological history

JULES VERNE thust be smiling in his grave.

While most p aple are mystified and support the effort to unravel the won- ders of outer-spate and be- yond, ,a diligent group of scientists from across Ca- nada- has spent; more than 12 years on a ‘mission to explore the wonders of Earth’s own “ihner-space.”

The projett crew — driving moyster trucks equipped ae highly so- phisticated eismic gear ~~ was in Northwest B.C, in early October. Since then it has? headed north into the Yukon on the Ste- wart Cassiat highway.

While it’s not quite a -journey to,the centre of the earth — sorry, Jules — the Lithoprobe project is a multi-disciplinary study of _-the lithosphere, the rigid 100- to:250-kilometre deep outer shell of. the planet. The idea is to shed some light on the continent's four-billion-year-old geolo- gical history.

“We've got the jigsaw puzzle, what we’re trying to do is break the jigsaw apart into its constituent pieces so we can say, ‘Well, haw did these jig- saw. pieces come together io form what we now have?" said Ron Clowes, a director of the project and professor at the Uni- versity of B. C. “That's may what we’re trying to

0,"

Using a seismic refrac- tion method, the scientists “use special vibrator trucks — called “dancing ele- phants” — to generate ‘sound waves that. travel from the surface deep into the earth, sometimes ex- -céeding 100 kilometres,

. ' The trucks jack up ona centre plate and send out a synchronized rumble for a few seconds to provide the seismic.-waves. Those tra- yel: through the earth’s shell, revealing structures

and layers in underground

ck formations.

Those reflections are uf eked up on the surface

which are hooked to a recorder truck by cables.

THIS STRING of vibrating white trucks, also cafled “dancing elephants”, generate synchronized sound waves that travel up to 100 kilometres into the earth's

crust. The trucks create seismic waves which, when reflected up to the earth's surface, can be translated into a three-dimensiona! picture of the earth’s crust.

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 5, 2000 -A3 ,

On average, the crew of between 35 to 40 person- nel covers about 16 to 18 kilometres each day.

Tapes of the recorded data are sent down every week to the Lithoprobe Processing Centre, based in Calgary, but it will take at least one or two years of computer processing be- fore the project will have any clear analysis, Clowes said,

“It’s mot that they’re just black and white and that you can say, ‘oh, here’s a fault’ and so forth and so on. It’s more subtle than that.”

The images themselves are often very fuzzy, pretty incomplete, and some- times feature three dimen- sional effects, Clowes said,

Two years ago, part of the Lithoprobe was con- ducted on the Stewart- Cassiar highway, although

that study. dacluded:the use...... of explosives to. transmit’.

sound waves. This phase of the study, using the vibra-

tor trucks, will add to that previously recorded infor- mation,

“It’s a basic scientific interest and Lithoprobe is a basic scientific project,” Clowes said. “But, having said that, there are econo- mic and social benefits that come from this basic research.”

He said the project is receiving some of its fund- ing from mining and ail companies’ who would eventually te able to use the land: information for their own planning and site studies,

Otherwise, Lithoprobe is supported by a research grant from the Natural Sci- énces and Engineering Re- search Council of Canada (NSERC) and through the regular budget of the Geo- logical Survey of Canada. -

The Lithoprobe crew will take a break over the Christmas holidays and re- gume_ work sometime in early January: ~

Magnesium-fibre mined at Cassiar site

WASTE dumps at the former Cassiar asbestos operation are being mined for commercial-grade magnesium fibre,

Just before Christmas Cassiar Mines and Metals Inc, an- nounced it has started production of the fibre in partnership with a Korean corporation.

Tailings left over from the asbestos mine at Cassiar con- tain massive stockpiles of serpentine mineral, from which magnesium fibres are extracted. The mineral is widely used asa reinforcing material for the construction and pipeline industries.

Initially producing 18,000 tonnes of the fibre a year, the plant will boost output to 50,000 tonnes a year over the next three years to meet demand, said Cassiar Mines presi- dent Ken Bates. At the highest rate of production, the waste dumps are estimated to hold 20 years of fibre supply.

Beginning in 2003, the plant — expected to cost $600 million to develop — will also produce magnesium metal its Korean partners will use to strengthen aluminium auto- mobile bodies. An estimated 200 million pounds of metal will be produced each year, according to Bates.

Ali the material will come from waste dumps and no mining is required, he added.

In July this year, Cassiar Mines signed a memorandum of understanding with Aluminium of Korea Ltd,,.part of the giant Hyundai Group, The Korean firm. will ‘contribute $US25 million to the venture and has agreed to market the magnesium metal produced at the northern B.C. plant.

News In Brief

On track at Rupert

THE MASSIVE proposed merger to join Canadian National Railway with the American Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway could have benefits as far north as Prince Rupert, says a CN spokesman.

“We think the combination will increase the com- petitiveness of all the ports served by the two compa- nies as the reach of these ports will be greatly expan- ded,” said Mark Hallman.

He said the benefit would come in having custo- mers deal with just one company when moving their goods over great distances. If the merger goes ahead, it would result in the largest rail line on the continent.

Bridge over sea waters

PRINCE RUPERT'S new mayor says he’s working on one of his campaign promises — a fixed link to Digby Island

Don Scoit says the city will apply to the federal government for money from any new infrastructure grant program it announces.

While the bridge would do away with having ta take a ferry to the airport on Digby Island, it will also be able ta connect people on the Tsimshian Peninsula with the mainland. The once consistent knock against the Digby Island airport is that it is isolated because access is only by ferry.

Arena burgled

CRIMESTOPPERS IS asking for assistance in find- ing the person or persons who broke into the Terrace arena just after 11 a.m. Boxing Day.

After gaining entry, the person or persons went straight to the snack bar, smashing in ils window to steal a small amount of cash and change.

Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and char- ging of the individual or individuals involved.

The number to call is 635-TIPS, 635-8477. Callers do not have to reveal their identity and they will not have to testify in court. Crime Stoppers does not sub- scribe to call display.

Drug for Hepatitis C

PEOPLE WITH Hepatitis C will now have the drug Rebetron covered by the provincial Pharmacare pro- gram. It had been provided by a special federal pro- gram, but that was stopped in August.

An estimated 1,000 people will qualify for the drug at an annual cost of $9.5 million.

“Rebetron is not a cure for Hep C, but it is an ef- fective treatment for some patients,” said B.C. health minister Penny Priddy. “Unfortunately, Hepatitis C is a chronic condition for which there is no cure.”

They can’t hide THOSE WHO move to the United States won’t be able to avoid paying family support, says attorney- general Ujjal Dosanjh.

As of this month, B.C. has an arrangement with every American state and protectorate to enforce B.C.-court-ordered child and spousal support when the paying parent lives. iii the United States.

The amount collected ‘through t ‘the’ | Provirice’ 8 fami- ly maintenance enforcement program was $104.2 — million in 1998-99, an increase over the $86.3 mil- lion collected in 1997-98.

in

fo help meet this goal.

BS eee ee ee 8

[ REVVING UP FOR | SNOWARAMA 2000

if tf + . . ‘ . . . | Snowmobilers are blasting into the new millennium with their annual Snowarama event.

-Snowarama i is a tradition among snowmobilers in British Columbia. Every year members af over 40 [clubs leave their snowmobiles behind while they pound the pavement fo collect Snowaroma pledges in ‘support of the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities.

‘EThe BC Snowmobile Federation has set an unprecedented provincial Saowarama fundraising goal - 1,$200,000 for the Year 2000, As a member of BCSF, the Skeena Valley Snowmobile Club is determined

: We receive tremendous support from Terrace residants and local business owners when we approach ‘J them for Snowarama pledges,” comments Snowarama Chairman, Jayne McKenzie, “We're very proud of the work we've done for special-needs kids over the years.”

Pride and commitment certainly drive the snowmobilers in this town. But the riders will also tell you that nothing beats the exhilaration of jumping on their machines and riding the trails with family and friends. Some of tha day’: 's Snowarama activities include trail rides, poker runs, a hot chili lunch served by the Terrace Downtown Lions Club, and award presentations.

Everyone who donates $25 or mara to Snowarama 2000 will have their name entered in o draw for a chance ta win an all-inclusive Irip for two to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Participants in the ride can also win many olher prizes, donated by local merchants.

4Snowarama isn’t just for seasoned snowmobilers,” explains McKenzie. us 4 great opportunity for non- snowmobilers who are interested in the “sport to give it a Iry. We usually have o few extra machines around that Snowarama guests can rida.”

he Skeena Valley Snowmobile Club's Snowarama takes place, Sun., Jan 30/00 beginning at 10am at BA. Further information on haw to register for Snowarama and where to pick up your pledge forms can ibe obtained by calling Jayne McKenzie at 635-5232,

{All proceeds from Snowarama 2000 will be directed towards the purchase of a Versapulse Laser for the

‘Lions Laser Skin Centre in Vancouver. Adults and children from communities throughout BC attend the Centre regularly ta undergo treatment for savera skin discolourations and part wine stains. The final fesultj is a lremendous increase in tha patients self esteem. It literally transforms their lives.

, i

Ree eee eee

~BESRT RS EE FS Pe ee es oe

_ WINE KITS

We carry a

GREAT SELECTION OF WINE KITS

as well as

Corks * Labels

_ *Botfles ° Caps _¢Filfre Pads «Wine Racks *Carboys « Thermometers And More!

& IRLY BIRD er

Irly Bird Building Supplies

4425 Keith Avenue, Terrace

Phone: 638-8700 Open 7 Days A Week

In-Store Financing available OAC.

THE PLACE TO STOP BEFORE YOU START”

LEARN TO FLY!!

Recreaiional and Private Ground School Starting January 10, 2000 Course Cost: $299.00

To register, or for more information call: 635-1852

7 KK Ai ir Charters Lid.

QUALITY VITAMINS

NORTHERN HEALINCARE

NORTHERN HEALTHCARE

Park Avenue Medical Building, Terrace

| MacKay’s Funeral Service Ltd.

Serving Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers & Prince Rupert

Monuments Bronze Plaques Terrace Crematorium

Concerned personal service in the Northwest since 1946

4626 Davis Street Terrace, B.G. V8G 1X7 “Funeral Service Phone 635-2444 * Fax 635-635-2160 Assocation

24 hour pager

| steak night in town!

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 - Terrace

GRAVE |!

635:TIPS

TERRACE KARATE CLUB Renshikan (Chito Ryu)

STOPPERS

Spring Registration

Session Dates: JANUARY - JUNE 2000

ADULT CLASSES: Thornhill Elementary Wednesday 7:00-9:00 Cost $165

STUDENTS & CHILDREN:

Clarence Michiel School

Mon & Thurs 7-9pm

Cost $135 Students

Cost $100 Children (under 14)

BEGINNER CLASSES: Adult & Children Parent & Child

REGISTRATION NIGHT

Jan 6/2000 & Jan 10/2000 7pm Clarence Michiel

Classes Taught By Shihan Roland Laggew (4th Degree Black Beam

Shidoin Norm Goedlad (3rd Degree Black Bell)

For more information call

Len: 635-2767 Corbitt: 635-4708