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Renaud Soucy La Roche

Areas of expertise

Structural Geology , Field Studies , Geochemistry , Geochronology , Metamorphic petrology , Tectonics

  • Assistant Professor

Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre

490 de la Couronne Street
Québec City, Quebec  G1K 9A9
CANADA

See the research centre

Research interests

Professor Soucy La Roche studies tectonic processes in convergence zones with a specific focus on the mid-crustal evolution of continent-continent and accretionary orogens. He uses a broad variety of methods to describe tectonic systems as comprehensively as possible:

  • Field mapping
  • Structural analyses (including microstructures and quartz crystallographic preferred orientation analyses)
  • Metamorphic petrology (including petrography, thermobarometry and phase equilibria modelling)
  • U-Th-Pb petrochronology on zircon, monazite,xenotime, allanite and titanite
  • Lu-Hf geochronology on garnet
  • Ar-Ar geochronology on white mica, biotite and hornblende
  • Trace element geochemistry

So far, professor Soucy La Roche has applied his expertise to the Himalaya, the Grenville Province, the Superior Province, the Slave Province and the Canadian Cordillera. His full research profile is available in French.

 

Student opportunities

Professor Soucy La Roche is currently looking for graduate students to join his research team. If you want to undertake a M.Sc. or a Ph.D. under his supervision, send him your CV, your (non-official) transcript, and the contact information of two references by email. Do not forget to describe your interests in geology and explain how they match those of Professor Soucy La Roche in your cover letter.

Education

  • Ph.D. Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University (2018)
  • M.Sc. Sciences de la Terre, UQAM (2014)
  • B.Sc. Honour’s Geology, University of Ottawa (2011)

 

Work experience

  • 2019- , Assistant Professor, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Québec, QC
  • 2022- , Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
  • 2019- , Visiting Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
  • 2018-2019, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
  • 2018, Sessional Lecturer (Structural Geology and Tectonics), University of Ottawa, ON

Publications

Articles scientifiques révisés par les pairs (étudiants soulignés)

Soucy La Roche, R, Zagorevski, A, Joyce, NL, & Crowley, JL (2024) Paleozoic evolution of the Yukon-Tanana terrane of the Northern Cordillera, NW British Columbia. Geosphere.

Soucy La Roche, R, Dyer, SC, Zagorevski, A, Cottle, JM, Gaidies, F (2022). 150 Myr of episodic metamorphism recorded in the Yukon-Tanana terrane, northern Canadian Cordillera: evidence from monazite and xenotime petrochronology. Lithosphere 2022(1), 7708357.

Soucy La Roche R, Godin L (2019). Inherited Cross‐Strike Faults and Oligocene–Early Miocene Segmentation of the Main Himalayan Thrust, West NepalJournal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 124 (7), 7429-7444.

Soucy La Roche R, Godin L, Cottle JM, Kellett DA (2019). Tectonometamorphic evolution of the tip of the Himalayan metamorphic core in the Jajarkot klippe, west Nepal. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 37, 239-269.

Godin L, Soucy La Roche R, Waffle L, Harris LB (2019). Influence of inherited Indian basement faults on the evolution of the Himalayan orogen. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 481, 251-276

Soucy La Roche R, Godin L, Cottle JM, Kellett DA (2018). Preservation of the early evolution of the Himalayan middle crust in foreland klippen: insights from the Karnali klippe, west Nepal. Tectonics 37, 1161-1193. *** Winner of the David Elliot Best Paper Award from the Canadian Tectonics Group ***

Soucy La Roche R, Godin L, Crowley JL (2018). Reappraisal of emplacement models for Himalayan external crystalline nappes: The Jajarkot klippe, western NepalGSA Bulletin 130 (5-6), 1041-1056.

Soucy La Roche R, Godin L, Cottle JM, Kellett DA (2016). Direct shear fabric dating constrains early Oligocene onset of the South Tibetan detachment in the western Nepal Himalaya. Geology 44 (6), 403-406.

Soucy La Roche R, Gervais F, Tremblay A, Crowley JL, Ruffet G (2015). Tectono-metamorphic history of the eastern Taureau shear zone, Mauricie area, Quebec: Implications for the exhumation of the mid-crust in the Grenville Province. Precambrian Research 257, 22-46.

 

Thèses, rapports et autres publications (étudiants soulignés)

Soucy La Roche, R., Gosselin, E., and Daoudene, Y. (2023). Mylonites, mylonites et mylonites: la zone de cisaillement de Saint-François-de-Sales, Province de Grenville. Livret d’excursion, Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Lac Bouchette, Québec, 26 p.

Soucy La Roche, R., Gosselin, E., and Daoudene, Y. (2023). Mylonites, mylonites and mylonites: the Saint-François de-Sales shear zone, Grenville Province. Fieldtrip guidebook, Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Lac Bouchette, Québec, 24 p.

Chapman, F. M., Miranda, M. A., Soucy La Roche, R., and Raymond, J. (2023). Fracture network analysis in the Duke River area, southwestern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2022, K.E. MacFarlane (ed.), Yukon Geological Survey, p. 35–62.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Moukhsil, A., Larson, K. (2022). Caractérisation structurale et temporelle de la zone de cisaillement de Saint-François-de-Sales et implication tectonique durant l’orogénie grenvillienne (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec). INRS, MERN, University of British Columbia; MB 2022-05, 57 pages.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Moukhsil, A., El Bourki, M. (2020). Caractérisation de la zone de cisaillement de Saint-François-de-Sales et implication tectonique dans l’évolution de l’orogène grenvillienne – Rapport préliminaire d’avancement des travaux, Ministère de l’énergie et des ressources naturelles du Québec, 3 p.

Zagorevski, A., Soucy La Roche, R., Golding, M., Joyce, N., Regis, D. & Coleman, M. (2018). Stikinia Bedrock, British Columbia and Yukon: GEM2 Cordillera Project, report of activities 2018; Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8485, 12 p.

Soucy La Roche, R. (2018). Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Karnali and Jajarkot external crystalline klippen, Western Nepal Himalaya. [Ph.D.]: Queen’s University, Kingston, 291 p.

Soucy La Roche, R. (2016). The Oldest Strand of the South Tibetan Detachment in Nepal, TravelingGeologist.com, August 14th 2016.

Soucy La Roche, R. (2015). Photograph of the month. Journal of Structural Geology 76, iii.

Soucy La Roche, R. (2014). Histoire tectono-métamorphique de la zone de cisaillement Taureau orientale et ses implications pour l’exhumation de la croûte moyenne dans la province de Grenville. [M.Sc.]: Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, 121 p.

Soucy La Roche, R. (2011). The origin and tectono-metamorphic history of the Whitewater metamorphic suite, Tulsequah Glacier area (104K/13), north-western British Columbia. [BSc]: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 52 p.

 

Conférences (étudiants soulignés)

Raymond, J., Chapman, F. M., Klepikova, M., Bour, O., & Soucy La Roche, R. (2024). Active fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing to assess the geothermal potential and groundwater flow over the traditional territory of the Lù’àn Män Ku Dän, Yukon. European Geosciences Union general assembly, Vienna, Austria.

Chapman, F. M., Klepikova, M., Bour, O., Soucy La Roche, R., & Raymond, J. (2024). Remote Heat Flux Assessment using Distributed Temperature Sensing in Pre-Existing Boreholes. Centre d’études nordiques (CEN) Annual Symposium. Quebec City, Quebec.

Ersay, L., Soucy La Roche, R., Rottier, B., and Cloutier, A. (2023). Field and drill core observations at the Matawinie graphite deposit, Grenville Province, Quebec. Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Ghazali, M., and Soucy La Roche, R. (2023). Le contexte métamorphique lors de la mise en place d’intrusions alcalines dans la région de la Haute Mauricie, Province de Grenville – Résultats préliminaires. Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Iqbal, M. Z., and Soucy La Roche, R. (2023). Decoding the timing of polyphase metamorphism in the Mauricie region, central Grenville Province, Québec. Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Soucy La Roche, R., Gosselin, E., Daoudene, Y., Moukshil, A., and El Bourki, M. (2023). Mylonites, mylonites et mylonites: Une excursion conjointe CTG-INRS-MRNF dans la zone de cisaillement de Saint-François-de-Sales, Province de Grenville. Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Rae Morrell, T. R., Godin, L., Soucy La Roche, R., and Cottle, J. (2023). Recognizing Indian Basement Faults based on Along-Strike Diachronous Metamorphism in the Himalayan Metamorphic Core of Far West Nepal. Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 43: 9.

Soucy La Roche, R., Gosselin, E., and Daoudene, Y. (2023). An introduction to the geology and structure of the Lac Bouchette area. Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Lac Bouchette, abstract volume 43: 20.

Iqbal, M. Z., and Soucy La Roche, R. (2023). Decoding the timing of polyphase metamorphism in the Mauricie region, central Grenville Province, Québec. Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Lac Bouchette, abstract volume 43: 25.

Rae Morrell, T. R., Godin, L., Soucy La Roche, R., and Cottle, J. (2023). Recognizing Indian Basement Faults based on Along-Strike Diachronous Metamorphism in the Himalayan Metamorphic Core of Far West Nepal. Geological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, abstract 160-1.

Chapman, F. M., Soucy La Roche, R., and Raymond, J. (2023). Results of a heat flow assessment with fibre-optic test in 385 m well, southwestern Yukon. Canadian Geothermal Students Day 2023, Calgary, Alberta. ***Best talk award***

Soucy La Roche, R., Zagorevski, A., Joyce, N. L., & Crowley, J. L. (2023). Paleozoic evolution of the Yukon-Tanana terrane of the Northern Cordillera, NW British Columbia. Geological Association of Canada – Mineralogical Association of Canada (GAC-MAC) annual meeting, Sudbury, Ontario, abstract volume 46: 219. ***Keynote***

Iqbal, M. Z., Soucy La Roche, R. (2023). Decoding the timing of polyphase metamorphism in the Mauricie region, central Grenville Province, Québec. Geological Association of Canada – Mineralogical Association of Canada (GAC-MAC) annual meeting, Sudbury, Ontario, abstract volume 46: 160.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R.*, Larson, K. (2023). (Un)reliability of the Zr-in-titanite thermometer at low temperature (< 600 °C). Metamorphic Studies Group Research in Progress annual meeting (division de la Geological Society of London), Online, abstract volume 42: 35. *RSLR est auteur-présentateur

Chapman, F. M., Miranda, M. A., Soucy La Roche, R., and Raymond, J. (2023). Distribution de la perméabilité associée à la faille Denali près de la rivière Duke dans le sud-ouest du Yukon. Centre d’études nordiques (CEN) Annual Symposium. ***Second Prize at poster competition***

Soucy La Roche, R. (2022). Évolution tectonométamorphique de la Province de Grenville : projets en cours à l’INRS. Atelier Grenville 2022, Quebec City, Quebec.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Moukhsil, A., Larson, K., Davies, J. & Perrot, M. (2022). Implication tectonique d’une zone de cisaillement décrochante durant l’orogène grenvillienne (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec). Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Soucy La Roche, R., Zagorevski, A., & Cottle, J. M. (2022). Lire et comprendre le métamorphisme polyphasé dans la monazite et le xenotime, de la Cordillère Canadienne à la Province de Grenville. Québec Mines + Énergie, Quebec City, Quebec.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Larson, K., & Moukhsil, A. (2022). Linking titanite U-Pb, microstructural and trace element data to deformation and metamorphism in a late-Grenvillian shear zone, Saguenay-Lac-St. Jean, Québec. Geological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting, Denver, Colorado. Abstract 77-14.

Soucy La Roche, R., Zagorevski, A. & Joyce, N. (2022). Decrypting polyphase deformation with quartz crystallographic fabrics in the Wann River shear zone, northern Canadian Cordillera. Geological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting, Denver, Colorado, abstract 147-4.

Rae Morrell, T. R., Godin, L., and Soucy La Roche, R. (2022). Along-Strike Diachronous Thermo-Kinematic Evolution of the Himalayan Metamorphic Core in Western Nepal. Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 42: 13-14.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Larson, K., & Moukhsil, A. (2022). Linking titanite U-Pb, microstructural and trace element data to deformation and metamorphism in a late-Grenvillian shear zone, Saguenay-Lac-St. Jean, Québec. Canadian Tectonics Group annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 42: 9-10.

Chapman, F. M., Soucy La Roche, R., and Raymond, J. (2022). Geothermal Potential Exploration in Duke River, southwestern Yukon. Kluane Lake Research Station Open House 2022, Silver City, Yukon.

Chapman, F. M., Soucy La Roche, R., and Raymond, J. (2022). Evaluation of geothermal resources in strike-slip fault zones: Duke River area, southwestern Yukon, Canada. Canadian Geothermal Students Day 2022, Calgary, Alberta.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., & Larson, K. (2022). Dating an ultramylonite with U-Pb geochronology on syn-kinematic titanite. Electron Backscatter Diffraction 2022 topical conference, Online, abstract volume: 44.

Chapman, F.M., Sternbergh, S., Soucy La Roche, R. & Raymond J. (2022). Thermo-stratigraphy of the Duke River area in southwestern Yukon. GAC-MAC meeting, Halifax, Nova-Scotia, abstract volume 45: 69. *** First prize at the Jerome H. Remick III Poster Competition ***

Soucy La Roche, R. (2022). La géologie de l’Himalaya et l’application d’études tectonométamorphiques à la sismotectonique. Conférence des Sciences de la Terre – UQAC.

Chapman, F.M., Sternbergh, S., Colpron, M., Soucy La Roche, R., & Raymond J. (2022). Adapted Play Fairways analysis of geothermal resources in southwestern Yukon, Canada. CEN Annual Symposium, Online, abstract volume: 56.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Larson, K., Moukhsil, A., El Bourki, M., (2021). New insights from titanite geochronology on shear zone deformation timing during the Grenvillian orogeny. CTG annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 41: 3-4.

Rae Morrell, T., Godin, L., Soucy La Roche, R. (2021). Thermo-Kinematic Study of the Himalayan Metamorphic Core in Far West Nepal: Implications for Along-Strike Tectonometamorphic Variations in Active Orogens. CTG annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 41: 12.

Soucy La Roche, R., Zagorevski, A., Joyce, N. L., Crowley, J. L. (2021). Paleozoic evolution of the Yukon-Tanana terrane in northwest British Columbia. CTG annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 40: 10.

Soucy La Roche, R., Dyer, S., Zagorevski, A., Cottle, J. M. & Gaidies, F. (2021). Monazite, xenotime and Al2SiO5 polymorphs, the perfect team to characterize polymetamorphism. Metamorphic Studies Group Research in Progress annual meeting, Online, abstract volume 40: 44.

Gosselin, E., Soucy La Roche, R., Moukhsil, A., El Bourki, M. (2020). Structural characterization of the Saint-François-de-Sales shear zone, Central Grenville Province. CTG annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 40: 27.

Soucy La Roche, R., Dyer, S., Zagorevski, A., Cottle, J. M. & Gaidies, F. (2020). Adding time constraints to polymetamorphism in the Canadian Cordillera with monazite and xenotime petrochronology. CTG annual workshop, Online, abstract volume 40: 19.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Harris, L. B., & Gicquel, A. (2020). The role of transverse basement structures and oblique terrane boundaries on the architecture of large-hot long orogens – examples from the Himalaya-Tibet and Grenville orogens. GSA annual meeting, Online. Abstract 71-6.*** Invited talk ***

Soucy La Roche, R., Zagorevski, A. & Joyce, N. (2020). Polyphase deformation along the Wann River shear zone: implications for the evolution of the Yukon-Tanana terrane in the northern Canadian Cordillera. GSA annual meeting, Online. Abstract 96-11.

Dyer, S., Soucy La Roche, R. Gaidies, F., Cutts, J., Petts, D., & Zagorevski, A. (2020). A new garnet fractionation modelling technique and its application to the Yukon-Tanana terrane of north-western British Columbia. GSA annual meeting, Online. Abstract 201-6.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J. M. & Kellett, D. A. (2019). Les klippes externes de l’Himalaya, la clé pour comprendre l’évolution précoce de l’orogène du Grenville? Québec Mines, Quebec City, Quebec.

Soucy La Roche, R., Dyer, S., Cottle, J. M., Zagorevski, A. & Gaidies, F. (2019). Monazite and xenotime laser ablation split-stream petrochronology, a proposed method to decipher the complex metamorphic evolution of the Yukon-Tanana terrane, northern Canadian Cordillera. GSA annual meeting, Phoenix, Arizona. Abstract 199-7.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J. M. & Kellett, D. A. (2019). A multifaceted approach to date tectonically-driven exhumation of the Himalayan middle crust. GSA annual meeting, Phoenix, Arizona. Abstract 217-10.

Soucy La Roche, R. & Zagorevski, A. (2018). Origin of the Florence Range, Boundary Ranges and Whitewater metamorphic suites, Yukon-Tanana terrane, northwestern British-Columbia, Yukon Geoscience Forum, Whitehorse, Yukon.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J. M. & Kellett, D. A. (2018). Long-lived cross-strike structures and lateral segmentation of the Main Himalayan thrust, west Nepal. EGU general assembly, Vienna, Austria, abstract EGU2018-9666.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L. & Cottle, J. M. (2017). Abrupt along-strike variations in the P-T-t evolution of the Himalayan middle crust: Insights from western Nepal klippen. GAC-MAC meeting, Kingston, Ontario, abstract volume 40: 355.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J. M. & Kellett, D. A. (2017). Direct dating of a shear fabric: An example from a Himalayan shear zone. GAC-MAC meeting, Kingston, Ontario, abstract volume 40: 354.

Godin, L., Waffle, L., Harris, L. B. & Soucy La Roche, R. (2017). Influence of inherited Indian basement faults on the evolution of the Himalayan Orogen. GAC-MAC meeting, Kingston, Ontario, abstract volume 40: 127.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L. & Cottle, J. M. (2016). Abrupt along-strike variations in the P-T-t evolution of the Himalayan middle crust: Insights from western Nepal klippen. 36th CTG annual workshop, Bracebridge, Ontario, abstract volume 36: 44.

Gervais, F., Soucy La Roche, R., Jannin, S., Brodeur-Grenier, A., Turlin, F. & Trapy, P.-H. (2016). Testing new ideas in the Grenville Province. GSA-NE annual meeting, Albany, New York, abstract volume 48 (2): paper 2–2.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., Cottle, J. M., & Kellett, D. A. (2015). Karnali and Jajarkot klippen in western Nepal Himalaya inconsistent with tectonic wedging model predictions. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California, abstract T13C-3019.

Kellett, D. A., Cottle, J. M., Godin, L., Grujic, D., Larson, K. & Soucy La Roche, R. (2015). Discussion starter: the case for channel flow during the development and emplacement of Himalayan middle crust (Invited). AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California, abstract T24B-06.

Braden, Z., Godin, L., Yakymchuk, C., Kellett, D. A., Cottle, J. M. & Soucy La Roche, R. (2015). Hinterland-to-foreland structural evolution of the base of the Himalayan metamorphic core. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California, abstract T13C-3020.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L. & Cottle, J. M., (2015). Syn-compression normal-sense low-angle detachment in the Himalayan foreland, western Nepal: Implications for orogenic models. AGU-GAC-MAC-CGU meeting, Montreal, Quebec, abstract volume 38: 501–502. ***Winner of an Outstanding Student Paper Award***

Soucy La Roche, R., Gervais, F., Tremblay, A., Crowley, J. L., & Ruffet, G. (2015). Tectono-metamorphic history of the eastern Taureau shear zone, Mauricie area, Québec: Implications for the exhumation of the mid-crust in the Grenville Province. AGU-GAC-MAC-CGU meeting, Montreal, Quebec, abstract volume 38: 508–509.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., & Braden, Z. (2014). Recognition of the South Tibetan detachment in the Karnali klippe, western Nepal: Implications for emplacement of Himalayan external crystalline nappes, CTG annual workshop, Sudbury, Ontario, abstract volume 34: 14-15.

Soucy La Roche, R., Godin, L., & Braden, Z. (2014). Recognition of the South Tibetan detachment in the Karnali klippe, western Nepal: Implications for emplacement of Himalayan external crystalline nappes, in Montomoli C. et al., eds., proceedings for the 29th Himalaya-Karakoram-Tibet workshop, Lucca, IT, p. 155.

Soucy La Roche, R., Tremblay, A., Gervais, F. & Crowley, J. L. (2013). Combining classical thermobarometry with simultaneous acquisition of trace element and isotopic compositions for thermometry and U-Pb geochronology by laser ablation; an example from the Taureau Shear Zone, central Grenville Province, Quebec.  GSA-NE annual meeting, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, abstract volume 45: 97.

Soucy La Roche, R., Tremblay, A. & Gervais, F. (2012). Structural history and kinematics of the Taureau shear zone, Lanaudière-Mauricie area, Grenville Province — Preliminary results.  GAC-MAC meeting, St. John’s, Newfoundland, abstract volume 35: 132.

Soucy La Roche, R., Tremblay, A. et Gervais, F. (2012). Structure et métamorphisme du domaine de Mékinac-Taureau, province de Grenville, région de la Mauricie. Congrès annuel des étudiants du GÉOTOP, Forêt-Montmorency, Québec, Résumé p. 87.

Zagorevski, A., Soucy La Roche, R., & Kamo, S. (2012). The Whitewater Complex, Northwest BC: Implications for Yukon-Tanana Terrane Correlations. Mineral Exploration Roundup, Vancouver, British-Columbia.