Geology, Geological Survey organizations and evolution of Geosciences in Manitoba

From EGM Heritage

Geology

The term broadly referred to as the earth sciences which term has more recently evolved into geosciences, is the study of materials which make up the Earth, including its structure and the processes which have shaped it throughout its long four-billion-year history. Geology in its simplest definition is the study of planet Earth. In practical terms, geology is related to the provision of most of Earth’s resources which include energy, minerals, water and food. A wide range of vital services depend on geology, which include ground engineering for the construction of buildings, roads, dams, tunnels, mines, oil wells and other large infrastructure projects. The geological sciences include the study of a wide range of topics including environmental issues, such as the remediation and management of waste from land contaminated by industrial use. The work of geological professionals also includes efforts to understand natural disasters and hazards caused by earthquakes, climate change, etc., and the preparedness for mitigation of their effects. The safeguarding of clean, available drinking water and the provision of varied ecosystem services depend on an understanding of both geology and its interactions with other surface processes.

Geological Survey

A geological survey is the systematic investigation of the geology beneath a given tract of ground for the purpose of creating a geological map or model. Geological surveying uses techniques from traditional field mapping to more intrusive methods. Field mapping includes studying outcrops and landforms, while intrusive methods include hand auguring and machine-driven boreholes, use of geophysical, geochemical, hydrogeological techniques, and remote sensing methods such as aerial photography and satellite imagery. The ultimate purpose of geological studies is to understand the evolution and structure of the earth from its core to the upper atmosphere for the efficient use of Earth’s economically recoverable natural resources, typically ranging from surface to a few kilometres below the Earth’s surface.

Geological Survey Organizations

Geological survey organizations are scientific agencies that conduct geoscience studies in a particular geographic/political region, and are run by state-, provincial/territorial- or federal-level governments or organizations who are the local experts and geoscience knowledge keepers of an area. They are commonly responsible for maintaining the geological/resources inventory and advancing the knowledge of earth sciences for the public good and for the benefit of communities and nations, and for human civilization on a broader scale. The maps and reports created by geological survey organizations within a given state/province/territory aim for geographic continuity, consistency and completeness in the geological information and interpretations in their jurisdiction. Coordinated efforts between state, provincial, territorial and national geological survey organizations are important to address geological inconsistencies between jurisdictions, maintain commonly used terminology, and integrate the efforts and information within the scope of each individual jurisdiction. In Canada, these efforts are governed through the Intergovernmental Geoscience Accord (IGA). Established in 1996 and renewed every 5 years by the Energy and Mines ministers across Canada, the purpose of the IGA is to (1) focus the strengths and increase the effectiveness of government geological surveys in Canada by defining the different but complementary roles and responsibilities of the federal, provincial and territorial geological surveys; (2) define principles of cooperation to optimize utilization of human and fiscal resources among geological surveys; and, (3) establish mechanisms to optimize cooperation and collaboration among geological surveys. The National Geological Surveys Committee (NGSC), a federal/provincial/territorial committee consisting of the directors of every geological survey across Canada, leads the coordination and integration of public geoscience activities across Canada in accordance with the IGA.

Although mining has been ongoing for millennia all over the world, as evidenced by remnants of old abandoned mines and slag heaps, the first documented, formally organized national geological survey was formed in England in 1835 as the Ordinance Geological Survey under Henry De la Beche. It remained a branch of the Ordinance Survey for many years. In 1965, it was merged with the Geological Museum and Overseas Geological Surveys, under the name of Institute of Geological Sciences. On January 1, 1984, the institute was renamed the British Geological Survey, a name still carried today. British geologists working in India to exploit its coal reserves established the Geological Survey of India in 1851 under its Ministry of Mines organization. This was the second oldest survey in India after the Survey of India (founded in 1767) and the official participant in steel, coal, metal, cement and power industries of the Government of India. It coordinated the work with international geological and geoscientific forums.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) was established in 1879 under the United States Department of the Interior and presently it is the largest geological survey in the world employing approximately 9000 people. The scientists at USGS study the landscape of the country with its natural resources and natural hazards. The organization’s work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, hydrology and seismology (earthquake-related studies). The USGS is a fact-finding research organization with no regulatory responsibility. In the United States, there are fifty state geological surveys and their work is coordinated by the Association of American State Geologists.

Some of the other examples of national geological surveys include: Geological Survey of Canada, geological surveys of Australia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark & Greenland, Austria, Federal Institute of Geoscience and Natural Resources in Germany, Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) in France, Saudi Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, etc.

Geological Survey of Canada (GSC)

The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is Canada’s oldest scientific agency and one of its first government organizations. It was founded in 1842 to help develop a viable Canadian mineral industry by establishing the general geological base on which industry could plan detailed investigations. Its founder and first director, William E. Logan, began by assessing the mineral wealth of the different administrative provinces of Canada. As Canada grew, the governing provinces developed their own mines and geology departments to support and facilitate mineral and petroleum exploration. Today, the GSC is Canada’s national organization for geoscientific information and research. Like the USGS, the GSC also is a federal earth sciences organization, concerned with data acquisition and integration and with associated research activities, with no regulatory responsibilities. Its world-class expertise focuses on scientific research and technological advancements to support the sustainable development of Canada’s mineral, energy and water resources, and stewardship of Canada’s environment and related hazards. In addition, the GSC is solely responsible for coastal and offshore marine geoscience in Canada’s waters. As provincial/territorial geological survey organizations matured over time, the GSC shifted some of its resources to make significant investments in sub-disciplines of the geosciences, including geophysics, geochemistry and paleontology, and have built innovative analytical infrastructure and laboratories for support and research. For example, the GSC provides complementary geophysical surveys and data through regional-scale aeromagnetic maps, gravity maps, and seismicity (earthquake activity monitoring) data, and operates 14 magnetic observatories and a large network of seismic monitoring stations throughout Canada. The GSC celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2017 which coincided with Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Canada has nine provincial and three territorial geological survey organizations whose regional mapping work at the national scale is coordinated with the Geological Survey of Canada.

The Geological Survey of Canada works in close harmony with the provincial and territorial geological organizations, including the Manitoba Geological Survey, to ensure coordination and collaboration of efforts. The cooperative efforts are attained through annual meetings of all the agencies to formulate plans for their annual activity. The provincial and territorial geological surveys maintain connections with prospectors, operators and other parties interested in the mineral development in the provinces.

Geology Education in Manitoba

Formal geological education in Manitoba started with the initiation of undergraduate geology programs at the University of Manitoba (U of M) and Brandon University in 1910 and 1911, respectively. Dr. Robert C. Wallace initiated the geology program at the U of M with the founding of what is now the Department of Earth Sciences, and it continues its legacy in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources that was established in 2010. The U of M Faculty of Engineering started offering a geological engineering program in 1938 to meet the growing needs of the mining industry. This program, which lasted only a few years, incorporated elements of civil, mining and petroleum engineering with the earth sciences. The history of geological education at the U of M is very well documented in the EGM Centennial wiki article titled: “The department of geological sciences at the University of Manitoba: 110 years strong” by Bill Brisbin, Brenda Miller and Nancy Chow. (insert link)

Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS)

The Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS) is one of the twelve Canadian provincial/territorial organizations. As the stewards of and experts in Manitoba’s geology, the MGS is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating authoritative science-based information on the geoscience infrastructure of Manitoba. This information is used to support, facilitate and promote mineral and petroleum exploration in the province, inform land-use planning and policy development, and for the protection and improvement of public safety.

The Manitoba Geological Survey started as a part of the Mines Branch of the Department of Mines and Natural Resources in 1928. Dr Robert C. Wallace, Head of Geology at U of M, was appointed the Commissioner of Mines by the Government of Manitoba in 1928. He was succeeded by Dr. J.S. DeLury as Commissioner and George Edward Cole as Chief Inspector of Mines. The first annual report on “Mines and Minerals” by DeLury and Cole pre-dated the formation of Department of Geological Survey and Mines in 1930. G.E. Cole became the first Director of Mines and Dr. J.S. DeLury was appointed Provincial Geologist. In drawing up the Mines Act of Manitoba and the regulations for its administration, reference was made to the mines acts of the Dominion of Ontario and of British Columbia. The resulting act was framed in such a way as to include the best features of all and, in addition, provided some useful administrative innovations, notably a mining board to promote a quick and inexpensive substitute for the mining courts of other provinces. An excellent summary of the activities of the department from 1930 to 1980 is available in the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources 60th anniversary celebration report edited by Alan Murray published in 1990. Since 1980, the organizational structure of the Mines Branch and Manitoba Geological Survey has changed many times. From 1979 to 1999, they were part of the Department of Energy and Mines, and the MGS was referred to as the “Geological Services Branch”. It was not until 2000 that the official title of “Manitoba Geological Survey” was adopted, and it has been used since. From 1999 to 2021, the department name changed 7 times with various internal reorganizations that came with each change. Glimpses of the ever-changing organizational structure and the variety of work the MGS undertakes can be seen in the yearly “Reports of Activities” published every November by the MGS.

As of April 1, 2021, the Manitoba Department of Agriculture and Resource Development reorganized the previous structure of its resource development functions into a single branch: Mining, Oil and Gas Branch. This new branch is a consolidation of the Regulatory Services (formerly known as a combination of the old Petroleum Branch and old Mines Branch), Tenure Services (dominantly consists of functions from the old Mines Branch, with some added functions from the old Petroleum Branch), and Manitoba Geological Survey under a single director within the Production Stewardship Division. The Director of this new branch serves as the Director of Mines and Director of Petroleum, for the administration of the Mines and Minerals Act and Oil and Gas Act.

Investigations Services

The Manitoba Geological Survey conducts a wide range of investigations in Manitoba’s Precambrian Shield, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin and Hudson Bay Basin, and the Quaternary and surficial sediments that blanket the entire province, including aggregate resources. The MGS provides data and products such as geological maps and reports, metallic and industrial mineral deposit reports, various databases, stratigraphic information, mineral resource assessments, targeted geoscience research, development of exploration models and maintenance of data inventories. By developing an understanding of geological processes, the department promotes mineral and petroleum exploration opportunities and contributes to wise land-use management.

Regulatory Services Section

The Regulatory Services Section administers both the Mines and Minerals Act, Oil and Gas Act and Oil and Gas Production Tax Act, and related regulations governing the exploration, development, production, transportation and storage of crude oil and natural gas. The section maintains a comprehensive public database of technical oil and gas well and reservoir information. The EGM Wiki article “Oil in Manitoba: Geology, Exploration and Production”, prepared by Michelle P.B. Nicolas, provides an excellent summary of the petroleum industry history in Manitoba. This section also includes the mines and petroleum inspector functions, reviews of mine closure plans and the administration of the Quarry Rehabilitation Program.

Tenure Services Section

The Tenure Services Section administers parts of the Mines and Minerals Act and Oil and Gas Act with a focus on governing the disposition of oil and gas and mineral rights (permits, claims and leases), administering oil and gas land sales, and mineral assessment report review and archiving.


Evolution of Geosciences

During the last fifty years the individual related earth sciences study disciplines like geophysics, geochemistry, geochronology, geohydrology, isotope geology, paleontology, sedimentology, mineralogy, stratigraphy, structural geology, seismology, computer modelling, etc. have developed vastly with contributions from scientific disciplines other than pure geology. To accommodate all these associated disciplines the science of geology has now evolved into geosciences. To explain the contributions of geosciences to society, consistent efforts have been made in the last eight years in Canada, USA and Britain to produce the following documents for easy follow-up by engineers, the public, and policy makers in each of these countries.

  1. Geoscience and Canada—Understanding our Earth; The vital role of Canada’s geoscientists–2018 https://geoscientistscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Geoscience-and-Canada-1.pdf
  2. Geoscience for America’s Critical Needs—Invitation to a National Policy Dialogue, American Geoscience Institute (AGI): Connecting Earth, Science and People–2016. https://www.americangeosciences.org/sites/default/files/AGI_GeoscienceForAmericasCriticalNeeds_102315_WebRes.pdf
  3. Geology for Society—A Report by the Geological Society of London–March 2014 https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/~/geology-for-society.pdf

Registration of Geoscience Professionals

Alberta was the first province to regulate the profession of Geology and Geophysics (to meet the needs of their advanced Oil Industry) in 1969 by including it in the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologist and Geophysicists. The need for regulating the profession by other provinces became evident during the Bre-X scandal of 1993-1997. The profession is now regulated in eight of eleven professional regulatory bodies by joint Engineering and Geoscience professional organizations. However, the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia have stand-alone professional regulatory bodies for geoscience professionals. Similar to Engineers Canada, the activities of provincial regulatory geoscience organizations have been coordinated by Geoscientists Canada since 1996 (previously known as Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists). Dr. Hamid Mumin, Professor in the Department of Geology at Brandon University, was the first President of Geoscientists Canada.

Acknowledgements

The need for such a document, emphasized by Dave Ennis and the Heritage Committee, provided us the opportunity to produce this compilation. Support provided by Glen Cook, James Bamburak, Ryan Bernier and an initial edit by Nash Soonawala and Dave Ennis is appreciated.

References

  1. Manitoba Geological Survey (https://www.manitoba.ca > Agriculture and Resource Development > Resource Development).
  2. Geological Survey of Canada (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/research-centres-labs/geological-survey-canada/17100)
  3. Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (https://www.enggeomb.ca/)
  4. Geoscientists Canada (https://www.geoscientistscanada.ca)

Compiled by

  1. Ganpat S. Lodha, PhD, PGeo, FGC , Past Director, Geoscientists Canada, Retd. Senior Staff Geoscientist-Atomic Energy of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
  2. Michelle P.B. Nicolas, MSc, PGeo, FGC, Manager, Manitoba Geological Survey, Agriculture and Resource Development Department, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 2021


Editing

  1. James A. Burns, PhD.


Posted by Glen N. Cook, PEng(SM), FEC
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