Canadian Geography Workshop Series

Geology: A Brief Introduction

This two-session workshop goes over everything you need to know to read a geologic map. We start off by exploring the geologic time scale and learning about which key geologic events happened when. Next, we explore different types of rocks, how they were created, and how to identify them in the field. Then, we look at structural geology at all scales, from folds and faults to plate tectonics. Finally, we tie everything together by looking at geologic maps of Canada and North America and deciphering how the geology of different areas of Canada was formed. Dr. John Johnston from the University of Waterloo kindly reviewed the contents of this workshop and provided us with excellent suggestions and resources.

Contributors

JS

Jerry Sun

Ben Woodward

Ben Woodward

Ben is an MSc student at the University of Waterloo studying coastal erosion in the Great Lakes. Ben's areas of interest include digital humanities/historical applications of GIS and web maps, geomorphology, and (of course) teaching geography. Outside of his studies, Ben enjoys watching the NBA and playing squash. Ben represented Canada at iGeo in 2018 and 2019, placing third internationally in 2019.

YouTube Playlist

Quiz1

Provincial and Territorial Minerals1 / 8
Question image

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Which province's official mineral is an iridescent type of plagioclase feldspar?

Activities2

1Rock ID Activity2Ontario Geology Google Earth Activity

Resources17

Workshop Series
North American Tapestry of Time and Terrain
Geologic Map of Canada

Detailed map of Canada's geology, including information on rock types, age, and geologic structures.

Macrostrat
Ancient Earth Paleogeographic Map
B.C. Open Geology Textbook

Free online textbook on physical geology/geomorphology.

OpenGeology Online Textbooks
Plate Tectonics Simulator
Structural Geology Simulator
PBS Eons
International Chronostratigraphic Chart

THE authoritative, up to date geologic time scale. Maintained by the International Commission on Stratigraphy.

Mineralogical Association of Canada Website
Impact Earth

Interactive map detailing impact craters from across Canada and the world. By Western University.

Earth and Space Sciences X YouTube Channel

Detailed video lectures on Geology, Oceanography, Hydrology, and more!

The Geology of Southern Ontario
UPenn Open Educational Resources
Geology of Drummond Island
Northern Ontario GeoTours
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