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Aerial view of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, in midwinter. Looking northwest from Schwatka Lake on the Yukon River (foreground), towards the Whitehorse Rapids dam and the hydroelectric generating facility (centre foreground), the airport and plowed runway (centre left), and downtown Whitehorse (centre right). The broad valley is drained by the Yukon River, which flows to the right. (Photo courtesy of W. Towriss)

We live in the broad valley of the Yukon River amid the rounded mountains of the Yukon Plateau. This landscape is formed of clay, sand, gravel, and rock, and is continually shaped by earth processes - our geological landscape or geoscape.

The earth materials in the Whitehorse valley tell the geological story from 250 million years ago to the present. The nearby mountains represent ancient limestone reefs, river deposits, granite magmas, and lavas. Glaciers and streams carved valleys and deposited sediment across the landscape; the Yukon River continues to wash away the sediment. Landslides displace rock and soil. Waters dissolve, transport, and deposit minerals, both at and below the Earth's surface.

By understanding our geoscape, we can promote its wise use: conserve water and energy resources, reduce natural hazards, and protect natural ecosystems that sustain life. Our quality of life and the sustainability of our community depend upon how we incorporate geological knowledge into land and resource decisions.