By Sarah Fullerton
Digital Communications Specialist
Professor Chris Yakymchuk is the 2024 recipient of the Geological Society of America Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology and Volcanology (MGPV) Division Early Geological Career Award. This award recognizes Yakymchuk’s groundbreaking early career accomplishments.
Yakymchuk, an Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor, is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to understanding the evolution of the Earth’s crust. His focus includes studying mountain formation processes over time, particularly the differences in these processes from the Archean era (over 2.5 billion years ago) to the present, as reflected in rocks. Using a diverse approach involving fieldwork, petrology, geology, geochemistry, and geochronology, he explores orogenesis (the geological process of mountain formation) and continental crust development.
Additionally, he investigates fluid rock interactions in the deep crust and applies igneous and metamorphic petrology principles to understand the origin of mineral deposits and critical minerals. The benefits of his research range from advancing scientific knowledge about Earth’s history to understanding the localization of and responsible development of our natural resources.
Yakymchuk is honoured to be selected as a winner and looks forward to presenting in person at a special session at the 2024 Annual GSA Connects meeting in September in Anaheim, California. “I am extremely grateful to the GSA MGPV and all the mentors, colleagues, and students that I have worked with that made this award possible,” he says. “I look forward to continuing this journey in understanding our Earth in the past, present and into the future.” The session will include a citation and acceptance, followed by a technical presentation of his research.
Chris Yakymchuk, an Associate Professor of petrology and Economic Geology.