Session 04: Ongoing developments in coastal and marine geoscience in Atlantic Canada

Chairs: Celeste Cunningham, Cameron Greaves, Mitch Maracle

St. Francis Xavier University, Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada - Atlantic Region; Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

The provincial and federal governments are actively investing in research and policy development in preparation for an offshore wind energy industry in the coming years. With this, there are many interested stakeholders seeking geological and geotechnical data that characterizes Atlantic Canada’s complex offshore region. Additionally, research on Atlantic Canada’s coastlines is needed to better understand the increasing pressures from rising sea levels, coastal erosion, severe weather events, and anthropogenic stressors. By integrating geomorphological data, sediment dynamics, and coastal processes, a holistic approach connecting the onshore and offshore is needed to monitor and manage long-term change along Atlantic Canada’s continental margin and inform science and policy on sustainable development activities. This session invites research from government, industry, and academia on all aspects of coastal to marine sedimentary processes and products, including transport and deposition, geohazards, geophysics, geochemistry, and paleontology.