ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 26 NO.2 March 17 1997
Please forward newsletter items on disk to Susan Gower/Sharon McKinnon @ P.O. Box 50, Bathurst, NB E2A 3Z1
or email to sjgower@gov.nb.ca. 

PRESIDENT'S FORUM

With the AGS executive positions in 1997 going to Nova Scotia geologists, an era has passed and a new era has begun. For the past several years the New Brunswick geologists have run an excellent and well organized program for the AGS. The meeting in Bathurst last year and the current one in Amherst have been unsurpassed and I offer my congratulations to all who were involved. I hope we can meet the challenge and do as good a job in the future.

The new executive and council have held their first of many monthly meetings to plan the direction of the AGS over the next year. It was a short meeting but many ideas were passed around. First, we hope to hold a summer field trip and have already had one person volunteer to organize it. When details are worked out, there will be suitable advertising of this event. Second, we have struck a committee to look into the details, terms of reference, etc. of bringing a guest or series of guest speakers to the Maritimes in the fall or next winter. This committee will be soliciting suggestions over the next few months, so again, if you have any ideas let me know. The next executive and council meeting will be April 7th and anyone is welcome to come and participate or you can pass your suggestions on to an executive or council member for discussion at the meeting. 

By the time you get this newsletter many will be looking forward to the coming summer, students will be writing exams and looking for jobs and professional geologists will be dusting out that field gear and choosing assistants (hopefully the aforementioned students). I wish you all success in the coming months and take it easy while out there. While walking in the woods or driving those roads don't forget to smell the flowers, remember, if you don't mine it you have to grow it.

If you would like to contact me, I reside most of the time in the Earth Sciences Department at Dalhousie University, phone number 902-494-2364. Messages can be left with the secretary at 902-494 2358, faxed to 902-494-6889, or e mailed to Peter.Wallace@dal.ca_. The rest of the time I'm down on the farm.

Peter Wallace


25TH ANNIVERSARY ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY COLLOQUIUM
AMHERST, NOVA SCOTIA

The 25th Anniversary AGS Colloquium and Symposium was held in Amherst, Nova Scotia on February 7-8, 1997. Approximately 150 people attended the meeting held at the Wandlyn Inn, Amherst. Colloquium Chairperson Susan Johnson and the organizing committee of Nicole Cormier, Laing Ferguson, Don Fox, Susan Gower, Dave Lentz, Sharon McKinnon, Mike Parkhill, Brian Roulston, Scott Swinden and Jim Walker worked hard to ensure everyone had an informative and enjoyable weekend. Corporate sponsorship from Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation Limited, Noranda Mining and Exploration Incorporated, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and Teck Exploration Limited kept the coffee flowing for the weekend.

This year is also the Geological Association of Canada's 50th anniversary and Alan Morgan kicked off the AGS Colloquium with a few welcoming remarks. The Colloquium included a Lithogeochemistry Workshop put on by Dave Lentz and Scott Swinden. Brian Roulston organized a tour of the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan's mine in Sussex, New Brunswick. The program was highlighted by Special Sessions on Current Environmental Research in the Earth Sciences organized by Don Fox and Recent Mineral Exploration and Development in Atlantic Canada which included Bruce Ryan's GAC Robinson lecture on the Voisey's Bay discovery. A total of sixtyone abstracts were submitted, thirty-five for oral presentation and twentysix for poster presentation. Noranda Mining and Exploration, in particular Dave Gower are to be commended for establishing the Noranda Student Award in Economic Geology presented this year and in future years at the AGS Colloquium. Robin Adair, Les Fyffe, Rob Raeside, Alan Ruffman and Peter Wallace were kept busy judging a total of 23 fine student presentations. Tom Al, Bruce Broster, Don Fox, Susan Johnson, Ron Pickerill, David Piper and Cathy Ryan agreed to chair the sessions. Special thanks to the Gesner Society at Mount Allison for working the projectors and helping to set things up.

A special note of appreciation is extended to Graham Williams, for his amusing talk on the history of the AGS, entitled "Where have 25 years gone" at the Annual Banquet, where a good time was had by all. Abstracts from the Colloquium will be published in an upcoming issue of Atlantic Geology.

The AGS Executive and Council for 1997 was elected at the Annual General Meeting held during Saturday's luncheon. On behalf of the Society, I would like to thank outgoing members of council Susan Johnson, Malcolm McLeod, Alan Anderson, Alice Walker, and Jim Walker for a job well done. The President this year is Peter Wallace from Dalhousie University and the new Vice-President is Rob Raeside of Acadia University.

Mike Parkhill


EXECUTIVE AND COUNCILLORS
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY
1996-1997


AGS MEMBERSHIP

If you know of colleagues who did not attend the Annual Meeting in Amherst, it is time to renew their AGS membership. At $10.00 (professional) and $5.00 (student) it is still a great deal_. A membership form is included with the Newsletter. Please make cheques payable to the Atlantic Geoscience Society and mail to: Ken Howells, 27 John Cross Drive Dartmouth, N.S. B2W 1X1

AGS STUDENT AWARDS

The Rupert H. MacNeil Award for the best student paper at the Colloquium was presented to Jennifer van der Gaag of Dalhousie University for her talk Characterization of outburst channel sandstones in the Phalen Colliery, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia_. The high number of student presentations at this years Colloquium was a key to the success of the weekend. All are to be commended on the quality of their presentations.

Two other student awards were presented for the first time at this years Colloquium. The Graham Williams award for the best student poster was given Sandra Marshall of Acadia University for her poster An investigation of drumlins in southwestern Nova Scotia: distribution, orientation and mode of formation_. The executive named this award to honor Graham's tireless efforts on behalf of the Atlantic Geoscience Society, since its inception in 1972.

The second new award was established by Noranda Mining and Exploration Incorporated (Bathurst Office), for the student presenting the best paper or poster in economic geology (or a related field i.e. geophysics, geochemistry, etc.) at the AGS Annual Colloquium. The student can be registered in a B.Sc. M.Sc. or Ph.D. program. The award will consist of a field pack containing a silva compass, hammer, magnet etc. and a contract summer position with Noranda, in Atlantic Canada. The award is designed to provide an opportunity to a deserving student who demonstrates an interest in pursuing a career in a mineral exploration related field. In future, students should make it known to the Colloquium Chairman if they want their name removed from consideration so that the award can be given to a student who can accept the position. The first Noranda Student Award was presented to Kelly Janssens for her talk Geochemical changes in the soil profile due to deforestation_. The intention is to present this award annually to a qualified candidate, at the Atlantic Geoscience Society's Annual Colloquium. 

Mike Parkhill


DR. JOHN MALPAS RECEIVES GESNER MEDAL

The Atlantic Geoscience Society awards the Distinguished Scientist Award - Gesner Medal to a person who through their own efforts (maps, publications, memoirs, etc.) has developed and promoted the advancement of an aspect of geoscience in the Atlantic Region. The contribution of the person should be of large enough scope to have made an impact beyond the immediate Atlantic Region. This year's award has been presented to Dr. John G. Malpas formerly of Memorial University and now working in Hong Kong. 

Dr. Malpas is one of the foremost earth scientists in Canada today and is a recognized world leader in igneous petrology, particularly that of ancient and modern ocean crust. He is an internationally recognized scientist who has made many contributions to geoscience in the Atlantic region. He meets or exceeds all the criteria for this award. 

John has devoted more than 20 years to the study of ophiolites in Atlantic Canada and elsewhere and has completely changed our views on these important features. His early work on the Bay of Islands ophiolite stands as a classic in its field. He demonstrated that this body is clearly an uplifted piece of oceanic lithosphere, not an ultramafic intrusion as earlier thought. As a result of this work, ophiolites were seen to be produced by plate tectonic processes and to mark ancient sutures in the earth's crust. John also elucidated the processes by which ophiolites are emplaced on continental margins and demonstrated that they must have been formed near their point of emplacement, a view now widely held. He demonstrated that the crust-mantle boundary, the Moho discontinuity, is a very complex feature and clearly showed the difference between the seismic Moho and the petrologic Moho.

John has applied his experience from Newfoundland to ophiolite occurrences around the world. His expertise allowed him to be among the first to participate in marine studies and to make comparisons between ophiolites and in situ ocean crust. His models for oceanic crustal construction, including coeval magmatism and crustal deformation, are now accepted by the marine geoscience community worldwide. However, John's interest in Atlantic geology is not confined to ophiolites. He has also published extensively on volcanic rocks of the Avalon Zone, on acid/basic plutonism in northeastern Newfoundland, particularly Fogo Island, and on alkaline intrusions with kimberlite affinities in Labrador. His publication list contains more than 50 papers and abstracts related to the regional geology of Atlantic Canada. 

The importance of John's contributions has been widely recognized by the scientific communitiy. In 1989, he received the Past President's Medal from the Geological Association of Canada, and in 1991, he was appointed President of the GAC. In the latter position, he was responsible for promoting the Geosicences in Canada and anticipating the future needs of the community. In 1992,he was elected a member of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He has held many important committee positions in the scientific community and has supervised Canadian participation in the International Ocean Drilling Program for the last 6 years.

John has also been instrumental in training many Atlantic geoscientists, having supervised more than 30 graduate students at Memorial University. In recent years, he has also served as the Dean of Graduate Studies at Memorial and has tirelessly promoted the Atlantic region in Canada and abroad.

In summary, John Malpas is a world-renowned geoscientist who made his reputation through studies in Atlantic Canada. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher and a leader in the national and international scientific community. As a commanding figure in science, he is a truly deserving recipient of the Gesner Medal.

Paul T. Robinson


NORMAN LYTTLE RECEIVES AGS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This year, the Distinguished Service Award of the Atlantic Geoscience Society was awarded to Norman Lyttle. This award is given in recognition of exceptional and altruistic contributions to the Society over a long period of time. Norman's association with the Society goes back to the early seventies, when he was at Dalhousie University. He was elected to Council in 1976 as newsletter editor and was instrumental in changing both the size and format of this venerable publication.

Great things were happening in the geological community of Atlantic Canada in the late 70s including organizing the GAC/MAC Annual Meeting for 1980 in Halifax. As a last minute substitute, Norman was brought in to take charge of publicity for Halifax'80 and he did a superb job.

Moving onwards and upwards, Norman Lyttle took on the most thankless task under the "old system" by becoming secretary/treasurer of the Society in 1980. As superman, Norman had to collect the exorbitant annual dues of $2, as well as keep the minutes for all Council meetings. He became program chariman in 1983 and in 1984, he became Vice President. Depending on one's age, the mid eighties were almost as exciting as the late seventies. The AGS Video Project kicked off in 1984 and Norman foolishly volunteered to be on the Committee. 

Naturally he was soon saddled with the job of treasurer, as well as being on the technical committee for the first video. "The Mineral Wealth of Atlantic Canada."

Norman Lyttle also volunteered to serve on the "Basins of Eastern Canada" committee and surprise-surprise, he became treasurer plus accepting responsibility for housing. The symposium held in Halifax in 1986, was a resounding success. Meanwhile in 1985, Norman became President of the Society, and he officiated at the Colloquium, held at Acadia that year.

After reaching the pinnacle of power, Norman remained active in the Society, continuing as treasurer of the Video Committee. In his twelve years in this role, he has handled a total of $500,000 all of which has been accounted for. The Committee has succeeded in producing four videos and two video guides, with another two video guides waiting in the wings. This record is no small part due to Norman's financial wizardry and his leadership role in drawing up legal contracts for each video.

For his outstanding service, Norman Lyttle is a most worthy recipient of the AGS Distinguished Service Award. 

Graham Williams


MINUTES OF THE 172nd AGS EXECUTIVE MEETING
WANDLYN INN, AMHERST, NS
FEBRUARY 7, 1997

Present: M. Parkhill, S. Johnson, M. McLeod, P. Wallace, R. Wilson, A. Ruffman, A. Anderson, G. Pe-Piper, L. Ferguson, K. Howells, D. Fox, B. Broster and I. Spooner. Invited guests: H. Donohoe, D. Gower and G. Williams.

Minutes of the 171st Executive Meeting were read by M. McLeod. S. Johnson moved that the minutes be approved as read. Seconded by R. Wilson. Motion carried.

Noranda Mining and Exploration Inc. Award: Shortly before the Colloquium, D. Gower of Noranda Mining and Exploration Inc., in collaboration with S. McCutcheon of the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, proposed to establish an award for the best student paper or poster presentation in economic geology or a related field. The intention is to present the award annually at the AGS Colloquium. D. Gower was called upon to give the executive some background on the award and the rationale behind its establishment.
After some debate, it was agreed that this would be a resounding success although the precise qualifications for the award should be more clearly stipulated in subsequent years. It was moved by M. McLeod that the selection committee, including R. Adair, L. Fyffe, P. Wallace, R. Raeside, A. Ruffman and D. Gower, proceed as outlined in Noranda's award announcement allowing for some leniency in the criteria for selection this year. Seconded by B. Broster. Motion carried.

25th Annual Meeting And Colloquium: It was reported that the current meeting was proceeding as planned and that it was running smoothly so far. Unexpectedly, Alan Morgan, Chairman of the GAC's 50th Anniversary Committee, had to rent a car to attend and speak at the Colloquium. It was moved by A. Ruffman that the AGS reimburse him for expenses incurred. Seconded by G. Pe-Piper. Motion carried.

Web Page: D. Fox, Publicity Coordinator for 1997/98, has volunteered to initiate setting up a Web Page for the AGS free of charge. He envisages having a variety of information on the page such as the new geoscientists in the region, product advertising, information about Atlantic Geology, Colloquium information etc. After it is set up, it would be circulated to the Executive for comment then go on line (this spring). Maintenance of the page would be the responsibility of the Publicity Coordinator in subsequent years.

26th Annual General Meeting: Rob Raeside advised the Executive that Acadia University would be willing to host the next Annual General Meeting and Colloquium.

Funding Requests: G. Williams submitted a funding request on behalf of the AGS Education Committee to provide partial funding for teachers to participate in a field trip, 17-18 May, at Ottawa'97. It was moved by A. Ruffman that the AGS donate $400.00 towards deferring costs of the trip for four teachers. Seconded by I. Spooner. Motion carried.
G. Williams was also called upon to give the executive some background on the Video Committee's monetary assets and on their current project - The History of Halifax Harbour. The Committee is requesting a grant from the AGS of $4000.00 to help with the new project. A decision on this request was deferred to the next meeting pending careful consideration by the AGS Products Committee (see below).

Awards Committee: M. Parkhill advised the executive that, while the selection criteria for recipients of certain AGS awards are clear, the rules regarding procedures of the Awards Committee are not. G. Pe-Piper moved that a committee be struck, which would be responsible for revising the bylaws to address this issue. Seconded by A. Ruffman. Motion carried. The committee will include M. Parkhill, R. Wilson, P. Wallace, G. Pe-Piper and L.Ferguson.

Products Committee: A progress report of the Products Committee was presented by K. Howells. The importance of this committee was stressed, especially their involvement in providing advice to the executive for requests for loans and grants, and their scrutiny of proposals for new products. It was suggested that written comments regarding the findings of the Products Committee be forwarded in writing to P. Wallace, President of the Society for 1997/98. A. Ruffman moved that a standing committee be struck and that the members have staggered terms of office, for continuity. Further, the procedures of the Committee should be formulated for presentation at next year's Annual General Meeting. Seconded by G. Pe-Piper. Motion carried.

Other Business: It was requested by A. Ruffman that the minutes reflect the Society's appreciation of the executive members from New Brunswick who, over the past four years, have done an excellent job at the helm of the AGS. It was moved by G. Pe-Piper that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by L. Ferguson. Motion carried.

Malcolm McLeod


MINUTES OF THE 1997 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 1997 Annual General Meeting of the AGS was held at the Wandlyn Inn, Amherst, on February 8, 1997. M. Parkhill, President of the Atlantic Geoscience Society, called the meeting to order. Minutes of the 1996 Annual General Meeting were read by M. McLeod. 

Matters Arising From The Minutes: A question was asked by G. Williams regarding the status of the adoption of the official mineral and gemstone emblem for Nova Scotia. H. Donohoe responded stating that the proposal is before the Legislature and is not official as yet. The Nova Scotia Mineral and Gem Society thanks the AGS for their support.

Annual Report Of The Executive: Copies of the President's Report were circulated and read by M. Parkhill. In the report, the impressive accomplishments of the various AGS committees and of Atlantic Geology were summarized. Details of the Education and Video committees, and of the Products Committee were further elaborated upon by G. Williams and K. Howells respectively. It was moved by H. Donohoe that these reports be accepted. Seconded by D. Piper. Motion carried.

Presentation Of The Financial Report: Copies of the Financial Report were circulated and summarized by K. Howells. Assets, revenue, expenses etc. of the Society, including details of the Education and Video committees, and of Atlantic Geology, were included. After questions regarding assets of the Society were satisfactorily answered, D. Piper moved that the report be accepted. Seconded by B. Roulston. Motion carried. Election Of Incoming Executive And Councillors: A list of candidates for office for 1997/98 was circulated for consideration. J. Calder moved that the list be accepted. Seconded by H. Donohoe. Motion carried.

Appointment Of Financial Reviewers: H. Donohoe and D. Piper have volunteered to be financial reviewers for this year. It was moved by G. Williams that they be accepted. Seconded by J. Calder. Motion carried.

Other Business: M. Parkhill reiterated his comments from the executive meeting regarding the necessity of revamping the bylaws to more clearly stipulate procedures of the awards committee in choosing recipients. A committee has been struck to deal with this issue and they will be reporting on their findings to the Executive.
P. Mukhopadhyay announced that there will be a joint meeting of the Society of Organic Petrology and the Canadian Society of Organic and Coal Petrology to be held on August 31, 1998, in the World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax. There will be a prize presented for the best student paper on environmental work or on topics related to coal and petroleum petrology at the convention. A field trip to Joggins and workshops are also planned. Students are asked to keep the convention in mind and, if interested, should forward submissions to him or John Calder. There will be further announcements made in the AGS Newsletter.
P. Wallace, on behalf of the society, extended sincere thanks to the New Brunswick group for bringing the AGS to where it is today through their hard work and innovative efforts. K. Howells moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by G. Pe Piper. Motion Carried.


REGISTRATION (LICENSURE) OF GEOSCIENTISTS IN CANADA: A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND UPDATE

Current Status of Registration (Licensure) of Geoscientists in Canada:

Professional registration of geoscientists (albeit as Professional Engineers in the Mining Division) began in Canada in Alberta with the formation of the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta (APEA) in the 1920s. Geologists, were explicitly identified in the Engineering Act in 1955, and separate designations (P.Geol. and P.Geoph.) were introduced in 1960.

Today, approximately 5,000 geoscientists are registered (licensed) under combined engineering and geoscience right-to practice legislation in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories as Professional Geoscientists (P.Geo.), Professional Geologists (P.Geol.) or Professional Geophysicists (P.Geoph.). Saskatchewan will begin registering Professional Geoscientists under their new Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act in 1997. Ultimately, approximately 10,000 geoscientists will be registered in Canada over the next few years as other provinces enact appropriate legislation.

The Nova Scotia legislature gave first reading to a bill establishing the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Nova Scotia in May, 1996, before adjourning for the summer. Because of difficulties between engineers and architects in the area of professional practice, the bill was withdrawn from the fall legislative session and a task force of engineers and architects is working diligently to overcome the problems. With an early and successful resolution of the issues, the next window of opportunity for reintroducing a new act will be at the spring, 1997, session of the legislature. 

In Manitoba, a joint committee of geoscientists and engineers has developed a new act to create the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba. The result of several years of intense effort on the part of geoscientists and engineers, it is anticipated that the act will be introduced into the legislature early in 1997. 

Geoscientists in Ontario, who have been working with the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario since 1990, have formed the Association of Geoscientists of Ontario to assist in preparing new legislation for the registration of geoscientists and engineers. A draft of the new act could be completed early in 1997 and a final version could be before the legislature by the end of the year.

In New Brunswick, a motion was passed at the February 1997 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick (APENB), allowing the Association's Legislation Committee to proceed with Act revisions and by-law changes to incorporate geoscientists into the Association, subject to a detailed review of the respective scopes of engineering and geoscience practice. The Legislation Committee will begin negotiations with geoscientists in the spring of _97, and the proposed changes will be brought to the next Annual General Meeting of the APENB for ratification. 

In Quebec, geoscientists have been seeking registration since 1968, but the body responsible for registering engineers in Quebec, the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec (OIQ), has consistently rejected joint task force recommendations for combined registration. In view of the recognized need to protect the public, the Office des Professions du Quebec recommended that the Ordre des Geologues Agrees du Quebec (OGAQ) be created under existing right-to-title legislation. The OGAQ has yet to be proclaimed by the Ministers in Council despite continuing efforts to encourage the government to proceed.

National Coordination - The Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists:
Given the high mobility of geoscientists in the global workplace, a strong need has been identified for coordination and cooperation among the provincial and territorial licensing associations. In response to this need, a new organization, the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG), is being formed as a federally chartered not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The CCPG will assist its member professional associations by providing a national focus for their activities and concerns. The principal objectives of the CCPG, as listed in the application for letters patent, will be:
  • to safeguard and promote the present and future interests of the geoscience professions in Canada;
  • to establish and maintain liaison among the provincial and territorial associations and corporations of professional geoscientists in Canada and to assist them in: 
    1. coordinating, correlating and standardizing their activities, particularly in the areas of registration of geoscientists, mobility of registered practitioners and interprovincial practice;
    2. promoting and maintaining high standards in the geoscience professions; 
    3. developing effective human resources policies and promoting the professional, social and economic welfare of the members of the geoscience professions;
    4. promoting a knowledge and appreciation of geoscience and of the geoscience professions, and enhancing the usefulness of the professions to the public;
    5. promoting the advancement of geoscience and related education; 
    6. generally carrying out their various objectives and functions; 
  • to act on behalf of and to present the views of its constituent associations and organizations in matters that are national or international in scope, including international registration or certification of geoscientists, and reciprocal practice; 
  • to act in respect of other matters of Canada-wide or international nature concerning the geoscience professions either alone or together with other bodies;
Developments in 1996:

Because a significant and rapidly increasing number of its constituent associations register geoscientists, the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE) supported establishing the CCPG to provide services for the geoscience professions comparable to what CCPE provides for engineering. An Implementation Task Force, consisting of geoscientists from all provinces and territories except Yukon and PEI, was formed by the CCPE in January, 1996, and given a mandate to establish the CCPG within two years.

A business plan has been developed and a budget established, by laws have been drafted, an application for incorporation has been submitted and letters patent should be granted by the time this report is published. The Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists, as distinct from the Implementation Task Force, will become a reality early in 1997, well before the mandate of the Task Force expires.

The Task Force budgets for 1996 and 1997, in the amount of approximately $40,000 per year, equals the annual assessment collected by CCPE from its constituent associations for their geoscientist members. CCPE has agreed that the amount of the annual geoscience assessment will be permanently transferred to CCPG when it becomes operational.

For more information, please contact the writer or any other member of the Task Force.
 
Members of the Task Force:
Michel Bouchard, Ph.D.  Quebec (514) 343-6821
Terry Hennigar, P.Eng.  Nova Scotia  (902) 453-2266 
Bob Leech, M.Eng.Sc.  Ontario  (905) 477-8400 
Hugh Miller, Ph.D., P.Geo.  Newfoundland  (709) 778- 0462
Philip Reeves, P.Eng.  Saskatchewan  (306) 787- 2584
Carolyn Relf, Ph.D., P.Geol.  Northwest Territories  (403) 9203347
Brian Stimpson, Ph.D., P.Eng.  Manitoba  (204) 474-8820
Linda Thorstad, P.Geo.  British Columbia  (604) 688-6500
Reg Wilson  New Brunswick  (506) 547-2070 
Gordon Williams, PhD., P.Geol.  Alberta  (403) 247-3225 
Gordon D. Williams, Ph.D., P.Geol.,  Chair Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists Implementation Task Force


UPCOMING EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCES IN GEOSCIENCES AND ENVIRONMENT

  • Glacial-Interglacial Sealevel Changes in Four Dimensions:Evidence of Sea-Level and Linked Environmental Changes at the Land-Ocean Interface, 5-10 March, 1997.
  • Palaeoclimate Modelling & Analysis: Quaternary Palaeoclimate Analysis, 10-15 May 1997.
  • Polar Regions and Quaternary Climate: Quaternary Climate Interhemispheric Coupling, 20-25 September, 1997. 
  • The Ecological Setting of Europe- From the Past to the Future:Human Influence on Ecological Setting of Europe since the Beginning of the Holocene, 20-25 September, 1997. 
  • Natural Waters and Water Technology: Microorganisms and Chemistry in Aquatic Systems, 4-9 October, 1997. 
For information and application forms, contact:

Dr.J. Hendekovic
European Science Foundation
1 quai LezayMarnesia
67080 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Tel. +33 388 76 71 35 
Fax. +33 388 36 39 87 
E-mail: euresco@esf.org 
On-line information & application at:http://www.esf.org/euresco


NEWS FROM ST. MARY'S

We are pleased to announce that the Regional Geochemistry Centre at Saint Mary's University is once again in operation. We have recently purchased a new Philips PW2400 x-ray spectrometer, with which we are capable of analyzing a wide array of both major and trace elements in environmental samples. We now measure the 10 major elements plus Cl, V, Cr, Zr, Sc, Ba, Nd, La, Co and Ce on borate fusions. We also measure a suite of trace elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Nb, Sn, Pb, Th and U) on pressed pellets. Our rates and turnover times are very competitive, and our results are fully corrected for both matrix effects and machine drift. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

David E. Slauenwhite 
technician: Regional Geochemistry Centre
Saint Mary's University
923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 3C3
Phone# (902)-420-5743
Fax#: (902)-496-8104
e-mail: SLAUNWH@SHARK.ST MARYS.CA


CALL FOR INFORMATION ON MEGAFAUNA FOSSILS

Further to the completion of the geochronological study of the mastodon fossils from East Milford, I would like to initiate a broader project to study and date the megafaunal fossil record of Atlantic Canada.

Published information indicates that a number of teeth of mastodons and mammoths have been recovered in this region since the mid1800's. I would like more information on any mastodon/mammoth teeth or bone which may be currently curated in geology/earth science departments or museums in NS, NB, and PEI.

I'm interested in the following information: date of discovery; site of fossil find; geological description of the site; presence of any bone found along with the tooth; presence of any sediment matrix adhering on/with the teeth or bones, or curated samples of the sediment matrix; possibility of returning to the site & collecting some of the sediment matrix (i.e., how well is the fossil site really described); whether the fossil has ever been preserved_ by coating with an organic substance, and if so, what was it coated with; any other history of the fossil since its discovery; willingness of the curating authority to have the sample included in a geochronological study aimed at answering the questions:when did elephantid megafauna exist in Atlantic Canada? When & why did they become extinct?_. The technique(s) I am considering at present include radiocarbon dating and electron spin resonance; both are destructive to a small sample removed from the fossil.

Thanks to all of you who talked to me about this at the last meeting, and to all who may have information which may be helpful.

Dorothy I. Godfrey-Smith
Dept. of Earth Sciences Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
B3H 3J5 
TEL: 902-494-1451
FAX: 902-4946889 
email: digs@is.dal.ca


CALL FOR PARTICIPATION OCEAN DRILLING PROGRAM

Scientists can apply to participate in more than one leg of the 1998 Ocean Drilling Program as shipboard or shorebased participants. Samples can also be requested. Canada OPD has dedicated funds for four university shipboard participants from Canada (up to $2000 for travel to/from ports and $1000 for the post-cruise meeting). Application forms for shipboard participation are available from the Secretariat. They should be filled out and sent to the Secretariat along with a letter of introduction indicating a specific Leg and a resume. Graduate student applications should include a letter from their primary advisors, detailing how participation would fit into their graduate degree programs.

Contact the Canadian Secretariat if you would like to apply for any of the 1998 legs and/or you would like further information. Shipboard participant applications must be received at the Canadian Secretariat by March 24, 1997. 
Canada OPD
Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Toronto
Toronto, ON
M5S 3B1
Canada 
Tel: 416-978-4922 
FAX: 416-978-3938 
e-mail: opd@quartz.geology.utoronto.ca


CALENDAR

April 16-18, 1997: 10e Congres Annuel de L'association Professionelle des Geologues et Geophysiciens du Quebec, Hotel Rimouski, Rimouski, QC.

April 27-30, 1997: CIM'97 Vancouver Trade and Convention Center, Vancouver, BC.

May 19 to 21, 1997: Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association of Canada, Joint Annual Meeting, Ottawa Congress Center, Ottawa, ON.

May 22-25, 1997: CANQUA 97- Canadian Quaternary Association 8th Biennial Meeting, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Montreal, QC

September 14-18, 1997: Exploration 97 - Fourth Decennial International Conference on Mineral Exploration, Toronto, ON


DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEXT NEWSLETTER IS Sept. 15, 1997

Please forward your newsletter items to:
Susan Gower/Sharon McKinnon 
AGS Newsletter Editors 
NB Dept. Natural Resources & Energy, Minerals & Energy 
Division P.O. Box 50, Bathurst, NB, E2A 3Z1 
Telephone: (506) 547-2070 
Fax: (506) 547-7694; 
e mail: sjgower@gov.nb.ca

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AGS SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

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  4. Field Trip Guide: Carboniferous Basins ($8.00) - Out of print
  5. Sedimentary Basins volume ($70.00)
  6. N.S. Guide to Geology, Landscapes & Mineral Res. ($5.00)
  7. Appalachian Story Video Guide ($5.00)
  8. Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Video Guide ($10.00)

ATLANTIC GEOLOGY

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MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS

  • Lexicon of Canadian Stratigraphy Atlantic Region ($10.00)

VIDEOS

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