The Scotian Margin is a rifted continental margin that formed as a result of the opening of the North Atlantic almost 200 million years ago. It underlies the continental shelf and slope off Nova Scotia along Canada's east coast. Much of what is known about the geology of the margin was learned during the past four decades of hydrographic and geophysical surveying, and subsurface sampling by analysis of cuttings and cores from exploratory wells. Exploration activities began in the 1960s and have led to one oil discovery and several major gas discoveries in the Sable Island area. In 1998 a new cycle of exploration began with $1.5 billion in new work commitments to explore 70000 km2 of licensed holdings over the continental slope. Technological advancements and improved geoscience knowledge are supporting the expansion of exploration activities into deeper water and at greater drilling depths in search of potentially large reserves.

A multi-disciplinary study of the structure and stratigraphy of the margin was initiated by the Geological Survey of Canada in 2001 to fill critical knowledge gaps on the margin's structural and stratigraphic evolution, particularly beneath the continental slope. The project, completed in 2004, involved research by scientists at the GSC's Atlantic Division, with industry and academic participation, and was conducted under the "Consolidating Canada's Geoscience Knowledge" Program of Natural Resources Canada.

In this web site you will find an overview of the geology of the Scotian Margin and its evolution through time. The site also focuses on new research and results from the Scotian Margin Project. A list of products and publications is included to provide interested viewers with more detailed information on the research and results.