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Geological Provinces (Nunavut)
Abstract
A geological province is an extensive region characterized by rocks and structures of varying types and ages. Canada has seventeen geological provinces consisting of a shield, platforms, orogens and continental shelves. Nunavut includes four of the geological provinces: Innuitian Orogen, Arctic Platform, Hudson Bay Lowlands, and Bear Province. Knowledge of the territory’s geology facilitates mineral exploration.
The Arctic continental shelf is formed of little deformed sediments and volcanics mainly of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic age. The Innuitian orogen consists of mountain belts of deformed and metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks intruded by granitic plutons.
The Arctic Platform and Hudson Platform are both formed of thick flat-lying Phanaerozoic strata. The Churchill province which is part of the Canadian Shield embraces the orogenic belts that were produced 900 to 1800 million years ago. Knowledge of the territory's geology facilitates mineral exploration.
Other Maps in this Series:
- Permafrost, Glaciers and Sea Ice Map | Read about this map
- Snowfall Map | Read about this map
- Drainage Basins (Nunavut) Map | Read about this map
- Terrestrial Ecozones (Nunavut) Map | Read about this map
- Surficial Materials (Nunavut) Map | Read about this map
