Special Sessions
General: Geoscience Research Developments
Chairs: TBA
This is a general geoscience session for talks and posters that were not submitted for a special session. This session invites studies spanning regional geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and environmental geoscience. Contributions may include field observations, subsurface and offshore studies, analytical advances, and modeling approaches that enhance understanding of the region’s geological evolution and resources. Interdisciplinary and applied studies are encouraged. The session provides a platform for sharing insights that contribute to the broader understanding of Atlantic Canada’s dynamic geoscientific landscape.
Session 1: Ongoing developments in coastal and marine geoscience in Atlantic Canada
Chairs: Cameron Greaves1, Victoria Watson1
1Geological Survey of Canada
There is a growing need for research on Atlantic Canada’s coastlines due to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and severe weather events, all of which have been exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change. Additionally, recent proposals for offshore renewable energy developments throughout Atlantic Canada’s continental shelves have garnered interest in geological and geotechnical data that characterize these vast regions. By integrating research on both onshore and offshore geomorphology, sediment dynamics, and paleoenvironmental change, geoscientists can provide insight for stakeholders that improves plannability for offshore energy infrastructure corridors while also informing environmental conservation strategies to protect Atlantic Canada’s unique coastal and marine ecosystems. This session seeks research on Atlantic Canada’s coastlines and continental shelves that has broad applicability to the above issues.
Session 2: Sedimentological and Paleontological Applications in Advancing a Sustainable Energy Future
Chairs: Lynn Dafoe1, Vânia Correia1, Jade Atkins2
1Geological Survey of Canada, 2Joggins Fossil Cliffs & Centre
The stratigraphic record plays an ongoing critical role in Canada’s energy future. As the energy industry and economy transition away from a hydrocarbon-dominated system into new fields such as geothermal, carbon storage, lithium in brines, renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen power, the fields of sedimentology and paleontology are adapting to support changing research directions. The study of stratigraphic successions continues to provide valuable framework geoscience information on the nature of rock units, their age, and paleoenvironments of deposition. We invite presentations in the fields of stratigraphy, sedimentology and paleontology that illustrate relevance to evolving energy geoscience and storage solutions.
Session 3: Advances in Appalachian tectonics: insights from field and laboratory studies
Chair: Deanne van Rooyen1, Sandra Barr1, Chris White1
1Acadia University
This session welcomes contribution focused on the tectonic evolution of the Appalachian-Caledonide orogenic system.
Session 4: Educational Outreach
Chairs: Tracy Webb1
1AGS - Chair of Education Committee
Over the years this special education outreach session has evolved into a mix of presentations showcasing projects, new programs for outreach, and EdGEO ideas, to lively geological discussions among the participants. With the demands on the earth’s resources, it is increasingly important to encourage and support earth science education at all levels. Please feel free to join us, and if you have a presentation you’d like to share, we’d welcome the opportunity to learn about it!
Session 5: Terrestrial and marine surface processes in Atlantic and Arctic Canada
Chairs: John Gosse1, Roger Paulen2
1Dalhousie University, 2Geological Survey of Canada
Knowledge of rates, style, and frequency of surface processes on land and sea floor are critical for predicting the impact of landslides tsunami hazards, and flooding, or evaluation of the suitability of onshore and offshore infrastructures needed for wind energy and nuclear waste management. We seek oral and poster presentations on surface processes research relevant to climate and environmental change, regional geology, natural hazards, and energy or mineral sectors in Atlantic or Arctic Canada.
Session 6: Advancing Critical Mineral Development in Atlantic Canada
Chairs: Fazilat Yousefi1, Niyayesh Khorshidi1, Jacob Hanley2, Michael Parsons3, Jared Butler3
1University of New Brunswick, 2Saint Mary's University, 3Geological Survey of Canada
Atlantic Canada contains a broad range of critical mineral resources that are essential for supporting Canada's transition to a low-carbon and digital economy. This session will showcase research from the Atlantic provinces and beyond on conventional as well as new, emerging, or unconventional sources (e.g. brines, evaporites, tailings) of the 34 minerals and metals on Canada's critical minerals list. We invite presentations on the geology of mineral deposits, especially granite-related magmatic systems that are commonly enriched in critical minerals (e.g. Li, Sn, W, Mo, Nb, Ta, REEs) and represent some of the most prospective mining targets in the Atlantic region. We also encourage submissions describing novel exploration tools, field and laboratory method development, and studies of mine wastes as a potential source of valuable critical minerals. The goal of this session is to inspire new ideas about critical mineral systems and to discuss innovative solutions for reducing the environmental impacts of mining.
Session 7: Advances in Geothermal Science and Subsurface Thermal Energy Systems
Chair: Joseph DeLuca
This special session highlights emerging research and applications in geothermal energy and subsurface thermal systems. We welcome contributions on reservoir characterization, heat-flow analysis, geophysical imaging, thermal modeling, drilling technologies, EGS development, monitoring and induced seismicity, and environmental assessment. We also encourage work related to ground thermal energy storage (BTES/ATES), geothermal gradient analysis, borehole data utilization, and mine-water geothermal or mine-to-thermal conversions. Contributions examining the role of geothermal in energy resilience, community energy planning, Indigenous energy sovereignty, or national energy security are also welcome. Interdisciplinary approaches bridging geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, engineering, and energy-systems analysis are especially encouraged. The session aims to bring together students, researchers, and industry professionals advancing subsurface geothermal research and applications across Atlantic Canada and beyond.
