Our Arctic Neighbors: Canada produces Arctic geological atlas

The Geological Survey of Canada has published the first comprehensive atlas of the Arctic showing geological features that could indicate where petroleum and mineral resources are located. The atlas contains data compiled by all the nations in the Arctic at a cost of $1 billion. The main overview map is available electronically and breaks down into 1,222 units for greater detail.

“The atlas documents the bedrock geology for the region in a seamless and internally consistent fashion,” Micheline Joanisse of the GSC told Petroleum News in an e-mail. “Any map user who knows the geological context for a given resource they are interested in (i.e. age and type of rock which could contain said resource) will be able to use the document to map out all areas of potential interest inside and outside of Canada.”

“Classic Russian maps show rock age, whereas North American convention is to also show their composition such as limestone or sandstone,” GSC senior scientist Marc St-Onge told AFP news agency.

The atlas may also help to resolve international boundary disputes, or perhaps inflame them further.

“Our atlas shows that the Lomonosov Ridge under the North Pole where Russia planted an undersea flag last year is actually part of the North American plate,” St-Onge said. “It was once part of the Bering Sea platform which in part belongs to Russia, but it separated 61 million years ago and has since moved 900 kilometers (560 miles). More detailed surveying of that area is required, of course, but it looks like it’s Canadian.”

—Sarah Hurst