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Geoscape Ottawa-Gatineau Different rocks
Different landscapes
The Ottawa-Gatineau region is underlain by three different
geological materials that create very different landscapes. The
resistant Precambrian granitic and metamorphic rocks of the Canadian
Shield form highland areas that are characterized by rough terrain,
numerous small lakes, and abundant rock outcrops (left). In
contrast, the flat-lying Paleozoic rocks underlie lowland plains and low
hills, and outcrops are confined largely to low scarps and riverbanks
(bottom left). Much of the region is covered by a blanket of
Quaternary sediments which form landscapes that range from gently
undulating plains and low hills of glacial deposits to the flat plains of
the Champlain Sea (bottom right).
![](/web/20061103030955im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/images/diff1.jpg)
![](/web/20061103030955im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/images/diff2.jpg)
Different resources
Each geological material contains unique resources.
Precambrian rocks contain a variety of metal and mineral resources.
Paleozoic limestone and sandstone provide building stone and cement and
concrete products. Quaternary sediments provide sand and gravel, and are
also the parent material of agricultural soils.
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