14 Questions
What is the primary composition of the Canadian Shield?
Highly metamorphosed granite
Which geological process contributed to the formation of the Canadian Shield?
Uplift mountain building
Which region of the Canadian Shield has copper, gold, iron, and silver deposits?
Superior Province
Which province within the Canadian Shield is known for its nickel and copper deposits?
Southern Province
What is the age range of the rocks that make up the Canadian Shield?
More than four billion years old
What is the primary geological composition of the Canadian Shield?
Igneous rocks
Which province within the Canadian Shield is known for its copper, gold, iron, and silver deposits?
Superior Province
Which region of the Canadian Shield is known for its copper and uranium deposits?
Bear Province
In which part of Canada does the Canadian Shield cover approximately 50 per cent of the land mass?
Northern Canada
What aspect of the physical landscape of the Canadian Shield is primarily a result of erosion and glaciers?
Appearance of ridge or belt of hills
Which traditional territory includes what is now Quebec and Labrador within the Canadian Shield?
Innu
What type of resources have been historically yielded by the Canadian Shield?
Coniferous forests and hydroelectric capacity
Which geological process has contributed to the long history of uplift, mountain building, and erosion in the Canadian Shield?
Tectonic plate movements
Which geological formation covers a vast area of North America?
Canadian Shield
Study Notes
The Canadian Shield: A Geological Overview
The Canadian Shield is the exposed portion of the continental crust underlying the majority of North America, extending from northern Mexico to Greenland and consisting of hard rocks at least 1 billion years old. It covers an area of over 8 million square kilometers, making up roughly 50% of Canada's landmass. The Shield is composed mainly of highly metamorphosed granite, with smaller areas of other rock types. It is the largest mass of exposed Precambrian rock on Earth.
Key Features
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Age and Formation: The Canadian Shield is composed of ancient rocks, some of which are more than four billion years old. It is the result of a long history of uplift mountain building (orogeny) and erosion.
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Geological Regions: The Shield has been divided into seven different regions or provinces by geologists, including Nain, Grenville, Southern, Superior, Churchill, Slave, and Bear. Each region has its own unique geological characteristics and natural resources.
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Natural Resources: The Canadian Shield is home to a variety of natural resources, including minerals, coniferous forests, and the potential for hydroelectric developments. The Southern Province, for example, is known for its nickel and copper deposits, while the Superior Province has copper, gold, iron, and silver.
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Glacial History: During the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), the Canadian Shield was covered by vast continental glaciers. The ice melted and deposited rocky, ice-smoothed hills and irregular basins, which are now filled by lakes or swamps.
Human Impact
The Canadian Shield has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, including the Innu, Cree, Anishinaabeg, and Métis. European settlers began exploring and colonizing the region in the 17th and 18th centuries, with beavers found in the Shield region becoming a valuable source for the fur trade. Today, the Canadian Shield continues to support various industries, including mining, forestry, and hydroelectric power production.
Learn about the geological features, natural resources, and human impact of the Canadian Shield, which is composed of ancient rocks and covers a significant portion of North America. Explore its unique regions, glacial history, and ongoing significance to various industries.
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