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)

 

2022–2023 releases

• Patterns of ice recession and ice stream activity for the MIS 2 Laurentide Ice Sheet in Manitoba, Canada
  
  
• Updated post-glacial marine limits along western Hudson Bay, central mainland Nunavut and northern Manitoba
  
  
• Using radiocarbon ages on organics affected by freshwater—a geologic and archaeologic update on the freshwater reservoir ages and freshwater diet effect in Manitoba, Canada
  
  
• Surficial geology point and line maps
  
  
• GeoFile 1-2022: Digital compilation of surficial point and line features for Manitoba, including ice-flow data
  
  
• GeoFile 2-2022: Manitoba till-matrix geochemistry compilation: silt plus clay (<63 μm) size-fraction by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after an aqua-regia or modified aqua-regia digestion
  
  
• Geoscientific Paper GP2022-2: Quaternary stratigraphy and ice-flow indicator data for the Gillam region, Manitoba (parts of NTS 54C, D, 64A)


• Data Repository Item DRI2022004: Till-matrix geochemistry data from the Gillam area, northeastern Manitoba: additional 2021 data (NTS 54D7, 9, 11)
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2022005: Till-matrix geochemistry data from the Churchill–Little Churchill rivers area, northeastern Manitoba (part of NTS 54E)
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2022006: Till-matrix geochemistry data from the Machichi–Kettle rivers area, far northeastern Manitoba (parts of NTS 54A–C)
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2022009: Field-based ice-flow indicator data from the Split Lake and Fox River belt areas, northeastern Manitoba (parts of NTS 53M15, 16, 54D2, 4, 64A2)
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2022010: Kimberlite-indicator-mineral data derived from glacial sediments (till) in the western Fox River greenstone belt area, northeastern Manitoba (NTS 53M15, 16)
  
  
• Data Repository Item DRI2022011: Till-fabric measurements and statistics from sections near the confluence of the Hayes and Gods rivers, northeastern Manitoba (part of NTS 54C7)
  
  

 

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.

 

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

 

Current projects

• Till sampling and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Machichi–Kettle rivers area
  
  
• Gillam area (parts of NTS 54D)
  
  
• Kasmattama highlands, Hudson Bay Lowland
  
  
• Pilot Mound/Morden
  
  
• Western Fox River belt, NTS 53M15 and 16
  
  
• Ongoing carbonate dispersal analyses
  
  
• Omarolluk (Omar) erratics
  
  

Completed projects

• Arden (NTS 62J6)
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• Northeastern-most Manitoba
  
  
• 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.

 

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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