Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan
F.M. Haidl, C.F. Gilboy, and Robert J.W. Turner 1
Haidl, F.M., Gilboy, C.F., and Turner, R.J.W. (2003): Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan; in Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Industry Resources, Misc. Rep. 2003-4.1, CD-ROM, Paper A-13, 7p.
Abstract Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is an outreach project sponsored by Natural Resources Canada (Geological Survey of Canada) and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources in collaboration with partners from industry, universities, K-12 schools, and other government and geoscience organizations. The prime purpose of Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is to explain in a simple and direct way how our geological heritage and the geological processes most active in the southern half of the province influence the lives of the area’s residents. A large format poster has been developed and is in its final stages of production. It will be printed in late summer 2003, at which time the poster contents will be added to the national Geoscape Website (www.geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca). The central graphic of the Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan poster features a digital elevation model atop a 3-D model of the subsurface geology of the province and a spectacular photograph of Castle Butte. A special place has been reserved for “Scotty”, Saskatchewan’s own Tyrannosaurus rex. Thematic panels surrounding the central image focus on the links between glaciation, topography, land use, water resources, and geologic hazards in the area south of the Precambrian Shield edge. The value of the Saskatchewan River system and groundwater resources is emphasized. Southern Saskatchewan’s energy and mineral resources, including coal, petroleum, potash and diamonds, are also highlighted and are placed in their geological and economic contexts.
Text for the poster has been written at a Grade 8 comprehension level to meet the needs of a broad range of users. Our main target audience is K-12 students and their teachers. The usefulness of the poster to this group will be greatly enhanced by a spin-off project, led by the Saskatchewan Geological Society, whereby additional geoscience, engineering, economic, and community information along with classroom activities will be developed for publication in CD and paper format, and for inclusion on a planned Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan Website.
Keywords: Saskatchewan, geoscience, education, glaciation, topography, subsurface, hazards, water, resources.
1. Introduction Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is an educational poster that features panels highlighting some of the most important and societally relevant aspects of Saskatchewan’s geology south of the Precambrian Shield edge. It has been prepared by Natural Resources Canada (Geological Survey of Canada) and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, in collaboration with partners from industry, universities, K-12 schools, and other federal and provincial government agencies.
The poster is intended to deepen public appreciation of our dependence, both direct and indirect, upon the Earth and its ability to provide us with water and food that enable us to live, and energy sources and minerals that can considerably enhance our safety and comfort. In addition, the beauty and diversity of Saskatchewan’s landscape and the numerous recreational opportunities offered within the province are highlighted by the poster’s eye-catching design and the use of abundant photographs which clearly demonstrate that “Saskatchewan is not just flat!”
2. Poster Content The large-format poster (Figure 1) is composed of a central image around which are clustered ten thematic panels. The poster illustrates geoscience issues with 43 photographs, 31 graphics (including maps), and a minimum of text. Text is written at a Grade 8 level and places the geoscience information in the context of Saskatchewan communities, with a minimum of geological jargon. “Puzzlers” included in several panels are designed to stimulate exploration of links between the panels and to encourage further research (e.g. Figure 2).
1 Natural Resources Canada, 101 - 605 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5J3.
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 1 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 . Walker, courtesy of Tourism of courtesy . Walker, tte by Douglas E Richard Franklin). ograph of Castle Bu (central image phot (central image aphics and design by Southern Saskatchewan poster digital elevation model by Kaz Shimamura; gr by model elevation digital Saskatchewan; central image Saskatchewan; central Figure 1 - May 2003 version of the Geoscape the Geoscape version of 2003 Figure 1 - May
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 2 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 Figure 2 - “Food from the Land” panel illustrates links between different types of glacial deposits, topography, and land use (May 2003 version). Also shown is an example of the use of computer-based GIS systems to manage land use. a) Central Image The central image features: 1) a spectacular photograph of Castle Butte in the Big Muddy area near Bengough, 2) a block diagram incorporating an oblique view of a digital elevation model atop a simplified version of the subsurface geology of Saskatchewan, and 3) a dramatic graphic of “Scotty”, Saskatchewan’s very own Tyrannosaurus rex. The essence of the poster is captured in the accompanying text.
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 3 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 Geoscience for Prairie Communities We are prairie people, inhabiting a dry grassland landscape – a mosaic of flat plains, rolling hills, steep-sided valleys, and forested coulees. Two centuries ago this prairie was an ocean of grass and home to First Nations peoples and millions of bison; today, the grasslands are largely gone, the soil tilled into farmlands. Most of us live in cities and towns, but all of us are tied to our geological landscape – or geoscape – by the energy we draw from it, the earth on which our homes are built, the water we drink, and the food that grows from our soil and water. Rich resources lie hidden beneath the prairie surface and our modern life is fueled by energy from coal, oil, and natural gas. The availability of water has always defined the limits of prairie life – where it was sufficient, ranches, farms, and towns sprang up. Our agriculture is built upon Saskatchewan’s soil, formed from mineral-rich debris left by retreating glaciers more than 8000 years ago. As custodians of this land, we are responsible for its care. By understanding our geoscape, we can promote its wise use: conserving water, energy, and mineral resources; minimizing the impact of natural hazards; and protecting natural ecosystems that sustain our life. b) Thematic Panels Panel themes were chosen to reflect geoscience issues important to the people who live in southern Saskatchewan, keeping in mind the primary goal of the national Geoscape Canada project (of which Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is a part) to promote wiser, science-based decision-making at all levels through improved public understanding of earth science issues within communities. Several panels emphasize the links between glaciation, topography, land use, water resources, and geological hazards (e.g. Figure 2). Southern Saskatchewan’s surface water resources are the focus of a panel that provides information on the Saskatchewan River Watershed and on the many uses of water from that system (Figure 3). The “Groundwater: Vital but Vulnerable” panel addresses the importance of groundwater to many Saskatchewan communities.
Two poster panels feature geological hazards in southern Saskatchewan: 1) landslides and 2) damage to foundations and roads caused by shrinking and swelling of expansive clays. Each of these panels also provides an example of a solution to problems posed by these hazards.
Important components of Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan are the graphics that illustrate the third dimension of Saskatchewan’s geoscape – the older layers of rocks that lie beneath the glacial deposits (e.g. the block diagram in the central image, and Figures 4 and 5). The “Riches from the Earth” panel highlights the province’s subsurface energy and mineral resources, including oil, gas, coal, potash and diamonds, and places them in their geological and economic context (Figure 5). Other treasures featured on the poster are dinosaur fossils found within Cretaceous rocks in southwestern Saskatchewan (e.g. graphic of “Scotty” in the central image).
3. Distribution It is anticipated that the Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan poster will be printed in late summer 2003. Funding for printing has been provided by Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, the Saskatchewan Geological Society (SGS), and Natural Resources Canada. In Saskatchewan, distribution of copies to every Saskatchewan school and to interested teachers will be done by the SGS, in partnership with Saskatchewan Department of Learning and local school boards. Posters will also be available to the general public at a cost of $15 each through the SGS, and across Canada at NRCan bookstores. In addition, poster contents will be added to the national Geoscape Website at www.geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca.
4. The Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan Poster Team Many organizations and individuals contributed to preparation of the Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan posters as illustrated by the following information from the credits section of the poster. Produced by: Robert Turner, Fran Haidl, Chris Gilboy, and John Clague Graphics and design: Richard Franklin Central image map: Kaz Shimamura Contributors: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources: Chris Gilboy, Fran Haidl, and Andrew Nimegeers Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada: Bob Turner, and John Clague University of Regina: Janis Dale Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration: Ophelia Dagenais, Barry Jones, Wade Nyirfa, and Malcolm Black
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 4 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 Figure 3 - The Saskatchewan River System carries water to many Saskatchewan communities where it is used to meet a diversity of needs. Graphics modified from “Water: A Precious Resource in a Thirsty Land” panel (May 2003 version).
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 5 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 Figure 4 - “What if We Just Kept Digging?” panel provides a summary of the geological history of the Earth as preserved in the Estevan area (May 2003 version).
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority: Nolan Shaheen Royal Saskatchewan Museum: Harold Byrant GE Ground Engineering: Paul Kozicki and Tim Adelman Others: Phillip Currie, Richard Franklin, Brian Eckel, and Gordon Domm
5. Where Do We Go From Here? The main target audience of the Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan poster is K-12 teachers and their students. The usefulness of the poster to this group will be greatly enhanced by a project led by the Saskatchewan Geological Society. This project, initiated in Spring 2003, will develop additional geoscience, engineering, economic, and community information plus classroom activities for: a) publication in CD and paper format, and b) inclusion on a planned Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan Website.
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 6 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1 on). chewan’s sedimentary rocks (May 2003 versi 2003 chewan’s sedimentary rocks (May highlights the resources contained in Saskat highlights the resources contained Figure 5 - “Riches from the Earth” panel Figure 5 - “Riches
Saskatchewan Geological Survey 7 Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1