Basin analysis involves making an interpretation of the formation, evolution, architecture and fill of a sedimentary basin by examining geological variables associated with the basin.

Basin analysis provides a foundation for extrapolating known information into unknown regions in order to predict the nature of the basin where evidence is not available. This can assist the exploration and development of energy, mineral and other resources (e.g. water, brines, etc.) tat may occur within sedimentary basins.

A basin model is built on a framework of geological surfaces that are correlated within the basin. This stratigraphic framework can be expressed in terms of rock type (lithostratigraphy), fossil content (biostratigraphy), age (chronostratigraphy), or rock properties such as seismic velocity (seismic stratigraphy). A geological map is a representation of correlated surfaces.

Expertise in basin analysis

• Benoit Beauchamp (Upper Paleozoic, Arctic Islands)
• Mike Cecile (Lower Paleozoic, Northern Mainland)
• Keith Dewing (Carbonate stratigraphy, Arctic Islands)
• Jim Dixon (Cretaceous-Tertiary, Mackenzie Delta; Triassic, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin)
• Ashton Embry (Mesozoic, Arctic Islands)
• Tony Hamblin (Cretaceous, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin; Paleozoic, central and eastern Canada)
• Chris Harrison (Lower Paleozoic, Arctic Islands)
• Robert MacNaughton (Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic, Northern Mainland; basal Paleozoic, eastern Ontario)
• Ulrich Mayr (Lower Paleozoic, Arctic Islands)
• Dave McNeil (Mesozoic and Cenozoic microfossils)
• Dave Morrow (Lower Paleozoic, Northern Mainland)
• Godfrey Nowlan (Late Precambrian-Silurian stratigraphy and conodonts)
• Kirk Osadetz (Paleozoic, Williston Basin)
• Terry Poulton (Jurassic biostratigraphy, stratigraphy and molluscan paleontology)
• Barry Richards (Upper Paleozoic, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin and Northern Mainland)
• Arthur Sweet (Cretaceous-Tertiary stratigraphy and nonmarine palynology)
• John Utting (Late Paleozoic & Triassic biostratigraphy and palynology)
• Jack Wendte (Devonian, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin)

Emeritus researchers

• Roger Macqueen
• Jack McMillan
• Ray Thorsteinsson (Lower Paleozoic, Arctic Islands)