Geological Survey of Canada
| Geological Survey of Canada | |
|---|---|
| Commission Géologique du Canada | |
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| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1842 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Canada |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Employees | 600 |
| Annual budget | CAD $70 million |
| Minister responsible | Minister of Natural Resources |
| Agency executive | Dr. David Boerner, Director General |
| Website | |
| http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca | |
The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) (French: Commission Géologique du Canada (CGC)) is part of the Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada. GSC is responsible for performing geologic surveys of the country, developing Canada's natural resources and protecting the environment. The GSC is the country's oldest scientific agency and one of its first government organizations.
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[edit] History
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In September 1841, the Province of Canada legislature passed a resolution that authorized the sum of 1,500 sterling be granted to the monarchy for the estimated expense of performing a geological survey of the province. In 1842, the Geological Survey of Canada was formed to fulfill this request.[1]
William Edmond Logan was in Montreal at the time and made it known that he was interested in participating in this survey. Gaining recommendations from prominent English scientists, Logan was appointed the first GSC director on April 14, 1842. Four months later, Logan arrived in Kingston, Ontario to compile the existing body of knowledge of Canada's geology. In the spring of 1843, Logan established the GSC's headquarters in Montreal. One of the prominent cartographers and the chief topographical draughtsman was Robert Barlow who began his work in 1855. Chemist T. Sterry Hunt joined in the early days and the Survey added paleontological capability in 1856 with the arrival of Elkanah Billings.[1] After Aylesworth Perry was appointed as acting librarian in 1881 he prepared the catalogue of reference works on geology, mineralogy, metallurgy, chemistry and natural history.[2] George Mercer Dawson became a staff member in 1875, progressed to assistant director in 1883 and finally to director of the Geological Survey of Canada in 1895.[1]
[edit] Programs and activities
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[edit] Geomagnetic monitoring
The Geological Survey Canada operates a network of 14 magnetic observatories throughout Canada, located as follows:[3]
- Nunavut: Alert, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Eureka, Iqaluit, Resolute Bay, Sanikiluaq
- Northwest Territories: Yellowknife
- British Columbia: Victoria
- Alberta: Meanook
- Manitoba: Brandon, Fort Churchill
- Ontario: Ottawa
- Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Christy Vodden (1992), No Stone Unturned: The First 150 years of the Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada website
- ^ Pauline MacDonald and Rosemarie Pleasant (2004), 150 Years Of Library Service, Natural Resources Canada website.
- ^ Geomagnetism - Magnetic Observatories
- Zaslow, Morris (1975). Reading the Rocks : the story of the Geological Survey of Canada, 1842-1972. Toronto/Ottawa: Macmillan Company of Canada/Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. ISBN 9780770513030. OCLC 2931347.
[edit] External links
- Official GSC Website
- Life of a Rock Star
- 1935 Dr. Alfred Jolliffe, Geological Survey of Canada NWT Historical Timeline, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
- Sir William E. Logan and the Geological Survey of Canada, including Logan's journals, scrapbook and photographs
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