Geoscience

Surficial Geology

Surficial geology focuses on the description of the types and distributions of unconsolidated sediments across the landscape. Surficial-geological data is essential for the successful interpretation of ice flow and glacial history in Manitoba. This information is collected and maintained primarily in maps and databases. It is useful for mineral exploration, sand and gravel production, hazard assessment, and infrastructure and landuse planning.

Applications of Surficial geology data (PDF)

 

Surficial Geology Map Index Click on the map sheet below for map listings.	Aggregate Resources Publication Index Click on the rural municipality map sheet below for more information regarding existing publications.
Till Geochemistry Map Index Click on the map sheet below for map listings.	Kimberlite-indicator Minerals Click on the map sheet below for more information.

 

 

To search for or download free publications related to aggregate projects in Manitoba, please visit the Bibliography of Manitoba Geology. Publications are also available in our Free Downloads section.

 

Current projects

• Till sampling and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Machichi–Kettle rivers area
  
  
• Northeastern-most Manitoba
  
  
• Gillam area (parts of NTS 54D)
  
  
• Arden (NTS 62J6)
  
  
• Kasmattama highlands, Hudson Bay Lowland
  
  
• Pilot Mound/Morden
  
  
• Ongoing carbonate dispersal analyses
  
  
• Omarolluk (Omar) erratics
  
  

Completed projects

• Gauer Lake to Wishart Lake (NTS 64H)
  
  
• Knee Lake–Oxford Lake (NTS 53L)
  
  
• Lynn Lake area (parts of NTS 64F3, 4; 64C9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16; 64B12)
  
  
• Southern Indian Lake (parts of 64G)

To search for or download free publications related to all quaternary and surficial projects in Manitoba, please visit the Bibliography of Manitoba Geology.

 

2019–2020 releases

• Data Repository Item DRI2019002: Till-matrix geochemistry data from the Pilot Mound and Morden areas, southwest Manitoba
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2019005: Field-based ice-flow–indicator data, Russell–McCallum lakes area, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C3–6)
  
  
• Geoscientific Paper GP2019-1: Till composition, stratigraphy, ice-flow indicator data and glacial history of the North Knife River–Churchill River region, Manitoba (parts of NTS 54L, 64I)
  
  
• Geoscientific Presentation PRES2019-3: Drift exploration resources in Manitoba
  
  
• Open File OF2019-1: Till composition of the Arden area, southwest Manitoba (NTS 62J6)
  
  
• Report of Activities GS2019-9: Quaternary stratigraphy and till sampling in the Machichi–Kettle rivers area, far northeastern Manitoba (parts of NTS 54A–C)
  
  
• Report of Activities GS2019-10: Till sampling and ice-flow mapping in the Russell–McCallum lakes area, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C3–6)
  
  

2018–2019 releases

• Open File OF2018-1: Ice-flow history and till composition of the Southern Indian Lake area, north-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 64G1, 2, 7–10, 64B15)
  
  
• Open File OF2018-3: Till composition of a sampling transect in the Lynn Lake area, northwest Manitoba (parts of NTS64B12, 64C9, 11, 12, 14–16, 64F3, 4)
  
  
• Report of Activities GS2018-13: Kimberlite-indicator minerals and clast-lithology composition of till, Kaskattama highland region, northeastern Manitoba (parts of NTS 53N, O, 54B, C)
  
  
• Report of Activities GS2018-14: Till composition of the Kaskattama Kimberlite No. 1 drillcore, Kaskattama highland region, northeastern Manitoba (part of NTS 54B7)
  
  
• Technical poster: Glacial record of the southwestern Hudson Bay region and its significance for long-term ice sheet behaviour

 

Digital compilation of surficial point and line features These datasets provide an up-to-date digital compilation of historic and new point and line features that are typically present on surficial geology maps, including: ice-flow indicators (striae, roches moutonees, etc) field sites outcrops streamlined landforms eskers major and minor moraines meltwater channels and corridors sand dunes beach ridges and trimlines More Information and Downloads

 

Digital capture of potential aggregate deposits This data capture is part of an ongoing project to compile existing Manitoba Geological Survey aggregate publications and digitally capture the spatial data component in a GIS format. This is intended as an initial release of the data capture, which will be followed by additional data published as an Open File. Download .zip file

 

Surficial map compilations For more information, visit the Surficial Geology Compilation Map Series web page. How to create a surficial map (PDF)     Cross-sections Cross-sections maps can be downloaded off of the Phanerozoic Stratigraphy page.

 

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