Several centres of continental volcanism are situated in southern Yukon. Two of these, the Skukum Volcanic Complex and the Bennett Lake Cauldron Complex BLCC are closely associated in space and gross geological characteristics, including their important role as hosts for epithermal precious metal mineralization. The BLCC was studied extensively by Lambert and the Skukum complex is currently under investigation by the author.
The Skukum complex was previously thought to represent a similar structural and volcanic setting to the BLCC. Study of the Skukum complex began in the summer of 1982 with the idea that it represented a cauldron subsidence feature and that an improved understanding of its geology would assist in developing potential targets for mineral exploration. The geology in the area is complex due to the discontinuous nature and incomplete exposure of volcanic units and is further complicated by severe faulting.
The author found that the Skukum complex differs from the BLCC in three respects:: 1) the presence of a bimodal suite of extrusive rocks (which suggests the tapping of two magma chambers), 2) its structural complexity and the absence of major cauldron subsidence and 3) the variability of depositional environments within the complex. Contrary to past speculation, the two complexes, which have been considered to be closely related in time and space, each represent a distinctive structural and volcanic setting.
