Alberta Geological Survey
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| Alberta Geological Survey | |
 |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1921 |
| Agency Executive | Kevin Parks, AGS Group Manager & Provincial Geologist |
| Parent agency | Energy Resources Conservation Board |
| Website | |
| www.ags.gov.ab.ca | |
Contents |
[edit] History
The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) 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). AGS was a department in ARC until it was transferred to the Alberta Department of Energy in 1995. Since 1996, the Alberta Geological Survey has been part of the Alberta government's Energy Resources Conservation Board.
[edit] Mission
The 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. Geological processes, like sedimentation, glaciation, mountain building and landslides, 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.
[edit] Activities
Explore and gather information:
- Observe and map the rock record in Alberta, from ancient, deeply buried strata to the surface sediments we live upon.
- Describe, collect and quantify the chemical and physical characteristics of rocks and minerals.
- On behalf of Alberta Energy, store and manage mineral core at the Mineral Core Research Facility
- Analyze and interpret air photographs, satellite imagery and other remote-sensing data, and use geophysical instruments to map earth materials and earth processes.
- Model the information in three-dimensions using state-of-the-art computer technology.
Provide and distribute information:
- Deliver information via the AGS website using maps, reports, GIS and podcasts.
- Participate in Alberta government strategic initiatives, such as the Water for Life strategy.
- Collaborate with other government departments and agencies, geological surveys, academia, industry groups, and non-profit organizations.
[edit] 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:
[edit] Geological Mapping
AGS provides geological mapping 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.
[edit] Resource Geology
This program focuses on appraisals and geological studies of earth resources in Alberta, notably industrial minerals, sand and gravel, diamonds, metals, and uranium. It also adds to the geological knowledge of Alberta’s unconventional gas and coal resources.
[edit] Groundwater Inventory
AGS is working in partnership with Alberta Environment to map and inventory Alberta’s groundwater 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.
[edit] Geological Hazards
On-site investigation techniques and 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. AGS 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. AGS also operates the monitoring system at the Turtle Mountain Geological Field Laboratory, site of the historic Frank Slide.
[edit] Earth Systems
With this program, AGS studies the natural circulation of heat, water, petroleum and dissolved elements in the Alberta Sedimentary Basin. This knowledge will help to understand the long-term potential of deep horizons to be used as sources of water for industry, aquifer storage and retrieval, geothermal energy, and long-term, safe CO2 sequestration and other industrial wastes.
[edit] Knowledge Management
AGS 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 GIS maps online.
