Chris Yakymchuk

Associate Professor, Petrology and Economic Geology

Chris Yakymchuk. Chris Yakymchuk studies how mountain chains form through the process of plate tectonics.

His research features thermodynamic modelling that highlight processes operating at the micro scale, such as melting. These processes can have a major impact on large scale tectonics in the continental crust.

Contact information
Office: ESC 210
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 33763
Email: cyakymchuk@uwaterloo.ca

Expertise

Metamorphic petrology, structural geology and plate tectonics to understand the evolution of the Earth's continental crust
Geochronology - the use of isotopes to date rocks and minerals
Orogenesis - the process of mountain formation

Research

Professor Yakymchuk's research interests lie broadly in understanding the tectonic histories of mountain belts.

He is particularly interested in the differences in orogenic processes from the Archean to present and how these differences are manifested in the rock record. He uses a multidisciplinary approach that applies fieldwork, metamorphic and igneous petrology, structural geology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenesis and the evolution of the continental crust.

He is also interested in fluid–rock interactions in the deep crust and applying the principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology to understand the petrogenesis of mineral deposits.

Teaching

Course offerings have included

Earth 471 – Mineral Deposits This course covers the genesis and localization of mineral deposits as well as the theoretical, economic, legal and technical aspects of mineral exploration. This course is designed for undergraduate students in their final year and for both geologists and geological engineers with a variety of backgrounds.
Earth 490 – Field Course (co-taught with Stephen Evans)

Offered in April–May. A two week field course for geologists, environmental scientists and geological engineers that explores glacial geology, geological hazards and the tectonic history of the central Andes in Peru.

Highlighted Publications

Recent publications include

Yakymchuk, C., Brown, M., Brown, C., Siddoway, C.S., Fanning, C.M., Korhonen, F.J. In Press. Paleozoic evolution of western Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. Geological Society of America Bulletin. doi: 10.1130/B31136.1
Yakymchuk, C., Brown, M., Clark, C., Korhonen, F.J., Piccoli, P. M., Siddoway, C. S., Taylor, R.J.M. and Vervoort, J. D. 2015. Decoding polyphase migmatites using geochronology and phase equilibria modelling. Journal of Metamorphic Geology. 33: 203–230. doi: 10.1111/jmg.12117

Please see Chris Yakymchuk's Google Scholar profile for a current list of his peer-reviewed articles.

Awards and Distinctions

2020 Mineralogical Association of Canada Young Scientist Award
2020 Jane Lang Excellence in Earth and Environmental Sciences Teaching Award
2019 Ontario Early Researcher Award
2014 Young Author of the Year Award, Journal of the Geological Society, London.
2012 Best PhD Graduate Talk Award, University of Maryland, Department of Geology.
2011 Jack Henderson Prize for best M.Sc. Thesis. Canadian Tectonics Group. Geological Association of Canada.
2010 W.A. Gorman Teaching Assistant Award. Queen’s University.
2008 Best Undergraduate Thesis Award. Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University.
2008 Rupert McNeil Award for Best Undergraduate Presentation. Atlantic Geoscience Society 34^th Colloquium.