The Central Foreland NATMAP Project is a multidisciplinary, collaborative mapping initiative. Its focus is the production of bedrock and surficial geology maps and related geoscience products for parts of the foothills of northeastern British Columbia, southeastern Yukon and the adjacent Northwest Territories (see overview map below for details). These areas are rich in natural gas and mineral potential.

The study area straddles a geologically unique transition, marked by a dramatic broadening and change in trend of the Cordilleran deformed belt, and by related changes in stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, paleogeography, and structural style. Regional geological mapping documents the surface expression of these dramatic changes. Three-dimensional geological models are developed through the analysis of seismic reflection, well, and potential field data. Altogether, they document the influence of pre-existing, ancient crustal structures in the development of Cordilleran structures. Our surficial geology component documents the landforms, and glacier, river, and lake deposits. These maps are important because they identify terrain types, gravel sources, and landslide hazards, which are critical to land use decisions such as road, bridge and pipeline locations.

Geological mapping and detailed thematic studies (stratigraphy and biostratigraphy, petroleum source-rock potential, and mineral deposit studies), are carried out in collaboration with the British Columbia Geological Survey, Yukon Geology Program, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the Government of the N.W.T., and twelve universities. Training of professionals, students, technicians, and local community members is a fundamental objective of our collaboration with industry and academia.

Our products include an extensive suite of new bedrock and surficial geology maps available in hard copy and digital GIS formats, as well as related publications and syntheses. These products will give rise to economic activities worth many times the mapping investment. In this website you can learn about the project, keep informed about new products and publications, and find contact information on project participants.