Alberta Geological Survey Geology Podcasts

Alberta Geological Survey is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Fenton has been awarded the 2010 Provincial Geologists Medal. This medal is awarded annually to recognize major contributions in geoscientific research.

Although it can't be definitively said, it is quite possible that Fran Hein might just literally love rocks. Her passion for geology is obvious to anyone who has worked with her, and her knowledge of the geology of Alberta's oil sands area is encyclopaedic. This passion for geology has taken her, at various times, from Canada's east coast to the west coast of the United States to Canada's northern coast. It has infected the students she has supervised in her many university positions, as well as with the colleagues she has worked.

The Geology, Environmental Science and Economics Branch and the Oil Sands Branch of the ERCB began work in a pilot study area to characterize the stratigraphy above and below the bitumen deposits where resources are proposed to be extracted through in situ means.

In conjunction with the semi-annual meeting of the National Geological Surveys Committee, held in Montreal in September 2010, a field trip was held for members of all provincial, territorial and federal surveys. The goal of the field trip was to observe and understand the geology along a section of Highway 10 between Montreal and the copper mines in Estri-Beauce region, New Sherbrooke.

Alberta has historically been a seismically quiet part of North America. Monitoring of seismic activity within Alberta began in earnest during the mid-1960s. In 1977, there was a significant increase in recorded events and the reason for the apparent increase is unclear. Alberta Geological Survey is collaborating with the universities of Alberta and Calgary to understand seismicity patterns in Alberta and their causes.

Alberta Geological Survey and Alberta Environment partnered to map the nonsaline groundwater resources of Alberta, starting in the Edmonton-Calgary corridor. This podcast is on the progress of the project.

In this article, we will focus on a scientist, educator, and university and research organization founder closely linked with the formation of the Alberta Geological Survey: Henry Tory.

To make the Mineral Core Research Facility more relevant to industry, government and the public, Alberta Geological Survey will create a special collection of core samples from key stratigraphic units and mineral occurrences in Alberta.

A new compilation map displays Alberta's metallic mineral and diamond potential. The map displays more than 4000 deposits, occurrences and samples based on 50 industry and government sources.

This podcast discusses the evolution of the Albertosaurus and its discovery in Alberta.

Alberta Geological Survey examined the historical exploration of potash in Alberta, together with a preliminary investigation that included contouring Alberta's groundwater and formation water datasets.

For those interested in general or specific interest in types of hazards in Alberta, the Geological Hazards section has information for you on their website.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Alberta Geological Survey studied surface and subsurface geology in urban areas to provide information that would aid future development and land-use planning. This type of study has been re-initiated within the Geological Hazards Section with the first study focusing on the town of Peace River.

In 2008, AGS began collaborating with Alberta Environment to inventory saline and nonsaline groundwater within the Edmonton-Calgary corridor.

In June 1884, Tyrrell and his expedition team discovered a significant dinosaur graveyard. This would later become the site of the famous Tyrrell museum.