Alberta Geological Survey
Encyclopedia
Alberta Geological Survey is part of the Energy Resources Conservation Board
, a provincial agency of the Government of Alberta. Alberta Geological Survey provides geological information and expertise to government, industry and the public about Alberta
’s Earth resources and geological processes for resource stewardship and sustainable development.
exist at the provincial/territorial and federal levels of government in Canada
. The complementary roles and responsibilities of provincial geological surveys and the federal survey, the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), are defined in the Intergovernmental Geoscience Accord, which was renewed by the Honourable Mel Knight
, Alberta Minister of Energy, in September 2007.
The roots of Alberta Geological Survey go back to 1912, one year after the founding of the University of Alberta
. Dr. Henry Marshall Tory
, then president of the university, appointed Dr. John Allan to initiate the teaching of geology and establish a new Geology Department at the U of A. Dr. Allan took up the challenge and stayed on as Professor of Geology for nearly 40 years, with 37 of those years as head of the Geology Department.
In 1920, Dr. Allan delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta the first government report on the mineral resources of the province. Dr. Allan reported on 18 different mineral resources known to occur in the province at that time. That report marks the beginning of AGS. Alberta Geological Survey was created in 1921, by Order in Council of the Alberta government, as a core part of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council, later the Alberta Research Council
(ARC). Alberta Geological Survey was a department in ARC until it was transferred to the Alberta Department of Energy in 1995. Since 1996, AGS has been part of the Alberta government's Energy Resources Conservation Board
(previously called the Energy and Utilities Board
).
The manager of AGS is the Provincial Geologist of Alberta. The Provincial Geologist represents Alberta on the National Geological Surveys Committee, which governs the implementation of the accord and fosters cross-jurisdictional survey co-operation in Canada.
of Alberta needed by government, industry and the public for earth-resource stewardship and sustainable development in Alberta. Geological processes, like sedimentation
, glaciation
, mountain building
and landslide
s, have shaped Alberta and provided Albertans with a wealth of Earth resources. Mapping and documenting these processes are key to understanding Alberta's current and untapped resources.
at a scale of 1:250,000 or larger, geochemical surveys and thematic studies across Alberta. Maps, reports and databases are available to industry, government and the public for resource management and economic development. A main goal of the program is to produce a digital geological atlas of the upper 500 metres of Alberta’s subsurface.
Program Goals
1. Compile a new digital atlas of Alberta, starting with the surficial and near-surface geology of Alberta, with first product releases beginning in 2012.
2. Complete the surficial geology mapping of Alberta.
, sand
and gravel
, metal
s, uranium
, and the diamond
iferous kimberlite
s of the Buffalo Head Hills
and Birch Mountains kimberlite field
s of the Northern Alberta kimberlite province
. It also adds to the geological knowledge of Alberta’s unconventional gas and coal
resources.
Program Goals
1. Write a report summarizing Alberta’s endowment of mineral, aggregate and unconventional energy resources by 2012.
2. Describe and report on the geology of occurrences and abundances of Earth materials of economic interest and value in Alberta.
resources in support of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. This program builds on the success of past partnerships to understand groundwater geology of Alberta’s oil sands
regions and define Alberta’s base of groundwater protection.
Program Goals
1. Inventory the nonsaline groundwater resources in Alberta.
2. Inventory the saline aquifers
in Alberta and characterize them in terms of their relative value for groundwater production, aquifer storage and retrieval schemes, geothermal energy production, waste disposal, and CO2 sequestration.
technology are used to understand geological hazards associated with land movement in Alberta’s mountains, foothills, along major river valleys and in areas of melting permafrost
. Alberta Geological Survey uses advanced petroleum geomechanical techniques to understand and evaluate cap rock
integrity, as well as surface heave and subsidence impacts of subsurface fluid injection, production and storage. Alberta Geological Survey also operates the monitoring system at the Turtle Mountain
Geological Field Laboratory, site of the historic Frank Slide
.
Program Goals
1. Investigate and report on naturally occurring, physical geological hazards in Alberta.
2. Investigate and report on anthropogenic, physical geological hazards in Alberta.
maps online.
Program Goals
1. Create a centralized information store of AGS-held digital geological information.
2. Provide Albertans with access to AGS information and knowledge about Alberta’s geology and resources through its publications, website and the Mineral Core Research Facility
.
Program Goals
1. Ensure AGS knowledge and expertise are available and accessible.
2. Ensure the AGS office and facilities are operated in a safe, efficient and professional manner.
Energy Resources Conservation Board
The Energy Resources Conservation Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta. It regulates the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta's energy resources: oil, natural gas, oil sands, coal, and pipelines...
, a provincial agency of the Government of Alberta. Alberta Geological Survey provides geological information and expertise to government, industry and the public about Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
’s Earth resources and geological processes for resource stewardship and sustainable development.
History
Geological surveysGeological survey
The term geological survey can be used to describe both the conduct of a survey for geological purposes and an institution holding geological information....
exist at the provincial/territorial and federal levels of government in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The complementary roles and responsibilities of provincial geological surveys and the federal survey, the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), are defined in the Intergovernmental Geoscience Accord, which was renewed by the Honourable Mel Knight
Mel Knight
Mel Knight is the Minister of Energy of Alberta and a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.-Early life:...
, Alberta Minister of Energy, in September 2007.
The roots of Alberta Geological Survey go back to 1912, one year after the founding of the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. Dr. Henry Marshall Tory
Henry Marshall Tory
Henry Marshall Tory was the first president of the University of Alberta , the first president of the Khaki University, the first president of the National Research Council and the first president of Carleton College...
, then president of the university, appointed Dr. John Allan to initiate the teaching of geology and establish a new Geology Department at the U of A. Dr. Allan took up the challenge and stayed on as Professor of Geology for nearly 40 years, with 37 of those years as head of the Geology Department.
In 1920, Dr. Allan delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta the first government report on the mineral resources of the province. Dr. Allan reported on 18 different mineral resources known to occur in the province at that time. That report marks the beginning of AGS. Alberta Geological Survey was created in 1921, by Order in Council of the Alberta government, as a core part of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council, later the Alberta Research Council
Alberta Research Council
Alberta Research Council is an Alberta government funded applied research and development corporation. In January 2010, the name was changed to Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures -History:...
(ARC). Alberta Geological Survey was a department in ARC until it was transferred to the Alberta Department of Energy in 1995. Since 1996, AGS has been part of the Alberta government's Energy Resources Conservation Board
Energy Resources Conservation Board
The Energy Resources Conservation Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta. It regulates the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta's energy resources: oil, natural gas, oil sands, coal, and pipelines...
(previously called the Energy and Utilities Board
Energy and Utilities Board
The Energy and Utilities Board was the governing body of the energy industry in the province of Alberta, Canada. Previously known as the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board , the EUB was reorganized on 1 January 2008 into two separate regulatory bodies:*the Energy Resources Conservation Board ,...
).
The manager of AGS is the Provincial Geologist of Alberta. The Provincial Geologist represents Alberta on the National Geological Surveys Committee, which governs the implementation of the accord and fosters cross-jurisdictional survey co-operation in Canada.
Mission
The specific mission of AGS is to provide data, information, knowledge and advice about the geologyGeology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
of Alberta needed by government, industry and the public for earth-resource stewardship and sustainable development in Alberta. Geological processes, like sedimentation
Sedimentation
Sedimentation is the tendency for particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in which they are entrained, and come to rest against a barrier. This is due to their motion through the fluid in response to the forces acting on them: these forces can be due to gravity, centrifugal acceleration...
, glaciation
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
, mountain building
Orogeny
Orogeny refers to forces and events leading to a severe structural deformation of the Earth's crust due to the engagement of tectonic plates. Response to such engagement results in the formation of long tracts of highly deformed rock called orogens or orogenic belts...
and landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
s, have shaped Alberta and provided Albertans with a wealth of Earth resources. Mapping and documenting these processes are key to understanding Alberta's current and untapped resources.
2009-2010 Fiscal Year Programs
From its earliest beginnings, AGS and its related predecessor departments have been charged with delivering geological knowledge to Albertans about their land, resources and environment. The AGS today delivers knowledge through 6 programs:Geological Mapping
AGS provides geological mappingGeologic map
A geologic map or geological map is a special-purpose map made to show geological features. Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols to indicate where they are exposed at the surface...
at a scale of 1:250,000 or larger, geochemical surveys and thematic studies across Alberta. Maps, reports and databases are available to industry, government and the public for resource management and economic development. A main goal of the program is to produce a digital geological atlas of the upper 500 metres of Alberta’s subsurface.
Program Goals
1. Compile a new digital atlas of Alberta, starting with the surficial and near-surface geology of Alberta, with first product releases beginning in 2012.
2. Complete the surficial geology mapping of Alberta.
Resource Assessment
This program focuses on appraisals and geological studies of Earth resources in Alberta, notably industrial mineralsIndustrial minerals
Industrial minerals are geological materials which are mined for their commercial value, which are not fuel and are not sources of metals ....
, sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
and gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
, metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
s, uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
, and the diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
iferous kimberlite
Kimberlite
Kimberlite is a type of potassic volcanic rock best known for sometimes containing diamonds. It is named after the town of Kimberley in South Africa, where the discovery of an diamond in 1871 spawned a diamond rush, eventually creating the Big Hole....
s of the Buffalo Head Hills
Buffalo Head Hills kimberlite field
The Buffalo Head Hills kimberlite field is a kimberlite field in north-central Alberta, Canada. It is a product of kimberlite volcanism during the Cretaceous period which was the most prolific period for worldwide kimberlite volcanism...
and Birch Mountains kimberlite field
Birch Mountains kimberlite field
The Birch Mountains kimberlite field is a kimberlite field in Northern Alberta, Canada. It is a product of kimberlite volcanism during the Cretaceous period which was the most prolific period for worldwide kimberlite volcanism...
s of the Northern Alberta kimberlite province
Northern Alberta kimberlite province
The Northern Alberta kimberlite province is a cluster of kimberlite pipes in Northern Alberta, Canada. It consists of three kimberlite fields, including the Birch Mountains, Buffalo Head Hills, and Mountain Lake cluster.-See also:...
. It also adds to the geological knowledge of Alberta’s unconventional gas and coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
resources.
Program Goals
1. Write a report summarizing Alberta’s endowment of mineral, aggregate and unconventional energy resources by 2012.
2. Describe and report on the geology of occurrences and abundances of Earth materials of economic interest and value in Alberta.
Groundwater and Geosystems
Alberta Geological Survey is working in partnership with Alberta Environment to map and inventory Alberta’s groundwaterGroundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
resources in support of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. This program builds on the success of past partnerships to understand groundwater geology of Alberta’s oil sands
Tar sands
Bituminous sands, colloquially known as oil sands or tar sands, are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit. The sands contain naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water, and a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum technically referred to as bitumen...
regions and define Alberta’s base of groundwater protection.
Program Goals
1. Inventory the nonsaline groundwater resources in Alberta.
2. Inventory the saline aquifers
Aquifer
An aquifer is a wet underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well. The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology...
in Alberta and characterize them in terms of their relative value for groundwater production, aquifer storage and retrieval schemes, geothermal energy production, waste disposal, and CO2 sequestration.
Geological Hazards
On-site investigation techniques and remote-sensingRemote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
technology are used to understand geological hazards associated with land movement in Alberta’s mountains, foothills, along major river valleys and in areas of melting permafrost
Permafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
. Alberta Geological Survey uses advanced petroleum geomechanical techniques to understand and evaluate cap rock
Caprock
The Caprock is a region in the Panhandle of Texas . It is the land to the west of the Caprock Escarpment, which separates it from plains stretching to the east at a much lower elevation....
integrity, as well as surface heave and subsidence impacts of subsurface fluid injection, production and storage. Alberta Geological Survey also operates the monitoring system at the Turtle Mountain
Turtle Mountain (Alberta)
Turtle Mountain is a mountain in Alberta, Canada.It is located in the Crowsnest River Valley and is part of the Blairmore Range of the Canadian Rockies...
Geological Field Laboratory, site of the historic Frank Slide
Frank Slide
The Frank Slide is a natural landslide feature in the southern Rocky Mountains of Canada, and a significant historical event in western Canada.Frank, Alberta is a coal mining town in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta...
.
Program Goals
1. Investigate and report on naturally occurring, physical geological hazards in Alberta.
2. Investigate and report on anthropogenic, physical geological hazards in Alberta.
Knowledge Management
Alberta Geological Survey manages and archives the province’s growing geological survey data and information holdings. You can obtain geological reports and maps from the AGS Information Centre and view interactive GISGeographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
maps online.
Program Goals
1. Create a centralized information store of AGS-held digital geological information.
2. Provide Albertans with access to AGS information and knowledge about Alberta’s geology and resources through its publications, website and the Mineral Core Research Facility
Mineral Core Research Facility
The Mineral Core Research Facility is run by the Alberta Geological Survey and assists the Alberta government's Department of Energy in administering the Metallic and Industrial Minerals Regulations of the Mines and Minerals Act for the Province of Alberta...
.
Office of the Provincial Geologist
The Office of the Provincial Geologist (OPG) provides leadership and management at AGS, supports the overall management of the ERCB Resources Branch and co-ordinates AGS support of regulatory activities within ERCB. The OPG supports the activities of the National Geological Surveys Committee and the Committee of Provincial and Territorial Geologists.Program Goals
1. Ensure AGS knowledge and expertise are available and accessible.
2. Ensure the AGS office and facilities are operated in a safe, efficient and professional manner.
External links
- Government of Alberta - Alberta Geological Survey
- Turtle Mountain Monitoring Data and GIS Application