Kirsten L. Rasmussen, Ph.D., P.Geo.
Last updated on October 2, 2026Science Editor
Email: Kirsten.Rasmussen@gov.bc.ca
Kirsten critically reviews, edits, and manages the flow of BCGS publications.
Education
University of Calgary (B.Sc., 2004)
The University of British Columbia (Ph.D., 2013)
Expertise
Kirsten maintains the professional scientific standards of the Survey by managing the scientific review, technical editing, and production of publications. She is enthusiastic about presenting technical data in accessible and engaging formats and finding ways to promote and share scientific knowledge to the public. Kirsten joined the Survey in 2026.
Kirsten has a strong field background. She has used geochronology, isotope geochemistry, and whole rock and mineral geochemistry of plutonic rocks to understand their petrogenesis and potential for mineralization. For her Ph.D. and post-doctoral work, Kirsten conducted research focussing on granitic intrusions spatially and temporally related to tungsten deposits in the Canadian Cordillera. While at UBC, she taught introductory field mapping and TA’d labs for tectonics, mineralogy, and igneous petrology courses.
Publications
2025
Poulin, R., Rasmussen, K.L., and Adlakha, E. (2025) Canada's got your tung? A wealth of opportunity. FACETS; v. 10, p. 1–16.
2024
Rasmussen, K.L., Falck, H., Luo, Y., Pearson, D.G., and Lecumberri-Sanchez, P. (2024) U–Pb–Hf and morphological evolution of zircon from granites associated with world-class tungsten skarn deposits in the northern Canadian Cordillera. Lithos; v. 486-487, p. 107752.
Rasmussen, K.L., Falck, H., Reynolds, M.A., Luo, Y., Pearson, D.G., and Lecumberri-Sanchez, P. 2024. U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic characterization of magmatic and inherited zircon from granitic plutons associated with tungsten mineralization, southwestern Northwest Territories; Northwest Territories Geological Survey, NWT Open Report 2024-004, 28 pages, appendices, and supplementary data.
2023
Rasmussen, K.L., Falck, H., Elongo, V., Reimink, J., Luo, Y., Pearson, D.G., Ootes, L., Creaser, R.A., and Lecumberri-Sanchez, P. (2023). The source of tungsten-associated magmas in the northern Canadian Cordillera and implications for the basement. Geology; v. 51, p. 657–662.
2022
Elongo, V., Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Falck, H., Rasmussen, K., Robbins, L.J., Creaser, R., Luo, Y., Pearson, D.G., Sarkar, C., Adlakha, E., Palmer, M.C., Scott, J.M., Hickey, K., and Konhauser, K. (2022) Ancient roots of tungsten in western North America. Geology, v. 50, p. 791–795.
2013
Ootes, L., Falck, H., Gleeson, S.A., Turner, E., Rasmussen, K.L., Gordey, S., and Pierce, K. (2013) Metallogenic evolution of the Mackenzie and eastern Selwyn Mountains of Canada’s northern Cordillera, Northwest Territories: a compilation and review. Geoscience Canada, v. 40, p. 40–69.
Rasmussen, K.L. and Mortensen, J.K. (2013) Magmatic petrogenesis and the evolution of (F:Cl:OH) fluid composition in barren and tungsten skarn-associated plutons using apatite and biotite compositions: case studies from the northern Canadian Cordillera. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 50, p. 118–142.
2012
Rasmussen, K.L., Mortensen, J.K., and Falck, H. (2012) Magmatic fluid phase compositions (F–Cl–SO3) as an exploration tool for Cretaceous intrusion-related mineralization in the Selwyn and Mackenzie Mountains, southwestern NWT; Gangue; Mineral Deposits Division, Geological Association of Canada, v. 99, p. 1–11.
2011
Rasmussen, K.L., Leslie, C., and Ootes, L. (2011) Chapter 4. Igneous Rocks; In: Geology of the central Mackenzie Mountains of the northern Canadian Cordillera, Sekwi Mountain (105P), Mount Eduni (106A), and northwestern Wrigley Lake (95M) map-areas, Northwest Territories; Martel, E., Turner, E.C. and Fischer, B.J. (editors), Northwest Territories Special Volume 1, Northwest Territories Geoscience Office, p. 193–214.
Rasmussen, K.L., Lentz, D.R., Falck, H., and Pattison, D.R.M. (2011) Felsic magmatic phases and the role of late-stage aplitic dykes in the formation of the world-class Cantung Tungsten skarn deposit, Northwest Territories, Canada. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 41, p. 75–111.
2010
Rasmussen, K.L., Arehart, G., and Mortensen, J.K., 2010. Preliminary O-S isotopic compositions of Cretaceous granitoids in the Cassiar Platform and Selwyn Basin, Yukon and Northwest Territories. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2009, K.E. MacFarlane, L.H. Weston and L.R. Blackburn (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey, p. 279-292.
2009
Rasmussen, K.L., 2009. New geochemical, geochronological, isotopic, and apatite composition data for Cretaceous magmatism, NTS 105P, Northwest Territories; NWT Open Report 2009-003, 5p.
2007
Rasmussen, K.L., Mortensen, J.K., Falck, H., and Ullrich, T.D. (2007) The potential for intrusion-related mineralization within the Nahanni MERA area, Selwyn and Mackenzie mountains, Northwest Territories. Nahanni Mineral and Energy Resource Assessment, Geological Survey of Canada Open File 5344, p. 203–278.
Rasmussen, K.L., Mortensen, J.K. and Falck, H., 2007. Morphological and compositional analysis of placer gold in the South Nahanni River drainage, Northwest Territories; In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2006, D.S. Emond, L.L. Lewis and L.H. Weston (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey, pp. 237-250.
2006
Rasmussen, K.L., Mortensen, J.K. and Falck, H., 2006. Geochronological and lithogeochemical studies of intrusive rocks in the Nahanni region, southwestern Northwest Territories and southeastern Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2005, D.S. Emond, G.D. Bradshaw, L.L. Lewis and L.H. Weston (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey, pp. 287-298.