About Alberta Geological Survey

Mission

As part of the Energy Resources Conservation Board, we provide geological information and expertise to government, industry and the public about Alberta’s resources and geological processes. This information helps manage and develop our resources.

Key Values

1. Focus on the public-interest needs of Albertans.
2. Be the premier source of unbiased and peer-tested knowledge of Alberta's geology.
3. Be in the top quartile of our international peer agencies and aim for best-in-class performance in areas of prime importance to Alberta.
4. Embrace best practices in knowledge management.
5. Enable technology at a superior level.
6. Be a partner of choice for government groups and funding agencies when there is good alignment between external partnerships and AGS program objectives.
7. Give staff members the opportunity to make significant contributions to their communities of practice through their work at AGS.

Activities

Explore and gather information:

• Record the rock record in Alberta, from ancient, deeply buried strata to the surface.
• Describe, collect and quantify the chemical and physical characteristics of rocks and minerals.
• Analyze and interpret air photos, satellite images and other remote-sensing data.
• Map Earth materials and processes.

Provide and distribute information:

• Deliver information via our website using maps, reports, GIS and podcasts.
• Participate in Alberta government strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with other government departments and agencies, geological surveys, academia, industry groups, and non-profit organizations.

History

Our roots go back to 1912, one year after the founding of the University of Alberta. Dr. Henry Marshall Tory, then president of the university, appointed Dr. John Allan to teaching geology and create a geology department at the U of A. Dr. Allan took up the challenge and taught geology for nearly 40 years, 37 of which he was head of the geology department.

In 1920, Dr. Allan delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta the first government report on the mineral resources of the province. Dr. Allan reported on 18 different mineral resources. That report marked the beginning of AGS. Alberta Geological Survey was created in 1921, by Order in Council of the Alberta government, as a core part of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council, later the Alberta Research Council (ARC).

Alberta Geological Survey was an ARC department until 1995, when we were transferred to the Alberta Department of Energy. In 1996, we moved to Energy Resources Conservation Board (then called the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board).

Historic Timescale Chart

This 71 x 127 cm (28" x 50") poster shows historic events of Alberta Geological Survey and the Energy Resources Conservation Board since the 1920s.