GSC-Quebec has a diverse and dynamic staff that focuses its activities in Eastern Canada, concentrating on regional Grenville, Appalachian and Quaternary surveys. These surveys provide the geological framework for studies targeting a region’s resource potential (metals, hydrocarbons or groundwater) and developing the appropriate exploration tools. In addition, knowledge of the physical environment and geological processes has led to development of unique expertise in environmental dynamics, with applications in the areas of natural hazards, climate change and human health. Finally, through the personnel of the Digital Cartography and Photogrammetry Laboratory (LCNP), GSC-Quebec supports activities aimed at technology development for integrating geoscientific information into spatially referenced relational databases and for increasing dissemination of that information to its clients and partners, as well as increasing their access to it.

Areas of scientific expertise

• Appalachian and Grenville geology
• Quaternary geology in terrestrial and marine environments
• glacial dynamics and drift prospecting
• metallogeny and hydrocarbon geology
• mineral and organic diagenesis
• exploration tools
• regional hydrogeology
• slope stability and analysis of geological hazards
• environmental geochemistry
• climate change

GSC-Quebec staff participate in the environmental, social and economic priorities of the Earth Sciences Sector by contributing to the following programs:  

Earth Sciences for Economic Opportunities

• Energy and Mineral Resource Development
  • Secure Canadian Energy Supply
  • Targeted Geoscience Initiative 3
• Northern Resources Development
  • Northern Resources and Development
• Geoscience for Oceans Management

Earth Sciences for a Clean Environment

• Groundwater Mapping
• Monitoring and Assessment
  • Environment and Health
  • Legislated Environmental and Resource Assessments

Enhancing Resilience to a Changing Climate

Earth Sciences for Public Safety and Security

• Reducing Risks from Natural Hazards

See also the Earth Science Sector's complete list of programs and services.