Describes studies conducted as part of a program to provide baseline data of surficial materials, ice-flow history, and soil geochemistry in the Yellowknife area, aimed at augmenting the geoscience database to support mineral exploration & development. After description of the regional setting & bedrock geology of the area, information is presented on surficial sediments (till, glaciofluvial & glaciolacustrine sediments, peat), ice flow patterns, glacial history, and pebble lithology provenance.

This paper summarizes ongoing surficial geology studies and geochemical analyses of till & vegetation in the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt. It first describes the sampling & analytical methods used, the regional geologic setting, and the types of surficial sediments found in the study area. It then presents results regarding ice flow directions, the occurrence of gold grains in till, and soil & vegetation geochemical profiles.

Senior managers and Heads of Geological Survey Organizations (GSOs) from around the world have contributed a collection of papers to provide a benchmark on how GSOs are responding to national and international needs in a rapidly changing world. GSOs continue to provide key scientific information about Earth systems, natural hazards and climate change. As countries adopt sustainable development principles and the public increasingly turns to social media to find information about resource and environmental issues, the generation and communication of Earth science knowledge become increasingly important. This volume provides a snapshot of how GSOs are adapting their activities to this changing world. The different national perspectives presented converge around several common themes related to resources, environment and big data. Climate change and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals provide an increased incentive for GSOs of the world to work in harmony, to generate knowledge of Earth systems and to provide solutions for sustainable management of the planet.