Identification_Information:

    Citation:

      Citation_Information:

        Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

        Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

        Originator: Morley, E.C.

        Publication_Date: 2026

        Title: Summary Petrographic Descriptions of Samples from the Precambrian Basement in Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

        Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

        Series_Information:

          Series_Name: Digital Data

          Issue_Identification: DIG 2026-0018

        Publication_Information:

          Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

          Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

        Public_URL: https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/dig-2026-0018

    Description:

      Abstract: This digital data release provides summary petrographic descriptions of samples from Alberta's Precambrian basement. The samples were collected from drillcore intervals of the crystalline basement beneath the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), from core housed at the Core Research Centre (CRC) in Calgary. The sampling program was undertaken to improve our understanding of the lithology and tectonic history of the basement rocks underlying the WCSB.

This work was completed under the Mineral Grant provided by the Government of Alberta June 22, 2021.

      Purpose: To provide summary petrographic descriptions for Alberta's Precambrian basement rocks to the public.

      Supplemental_Information:

    Time_Period_of_Content:

      Time Period Information:

        Single Date/Time:

          Calendar_Date: 2025

    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

  Status:

    Progress: Complete

    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:

  Spatial Domain:

    Bounding Coordinates:

      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -120

      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -110

      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 60

      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 49

  Keywords:

    Theme:

      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

      Theme_Keyword: data

      Theme_Keyword: drillcore

      Theme_Keyword: geology

      Theme_Keyword: gneiss

      Theme_Keyword: granitoid

      Theme_Keyword: metasediment

      Theme_Keyword: microscopic examination

      Theme_Keyword: mineral exploration

      Theme_Keyword: mineral mapping program

      Theme_Keyword: minerals

      Theme_Keyword: petrographic studies

      Theme_Keyword: precambrian

    Place:

      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

      Place_Keyword: alberta

      Place_Keyword: canada

  Access_Constraints: Public

  Use_Constraints: Acknowledgement of the Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey as the originator/source of this information is required as described in the Open Government License - Alberta.

  Point_of_Contact:

    Contact_Information:

      Contact_Organization_Primary:

        Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

        Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

      Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

      Contact_Address:

        Address_Type: mailing and physical

        Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

        Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

        Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

        City: Edmonton

        State_or_Province: Alberta

        Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

        Country: Canada

      Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

      Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Data_Quality_Information:

  Attribute_Accuracy:

    Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Lithology assignments are based on a combination of petrographic description, visual hand sample description, and geochemical data. The basement domain for each sample was assigned by using the domain underlying the well surface location as interpreted by Brem et al. (2024) and Lopez et al. (2024a, b; 2026).

References:

Brem, A., Lopez, G.P., McGill, D. and McKenzie, J. (2024): Airborne geophysics data analysis and interpretation, southern Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Special Report 120, 106 p.

Lopez, G.P., Brem, A., McGill, D. and McKenzie, J. (2024a): Airborne geophysics data analysis and interpretation, northeastern Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Special Report 122, 153 p.

Lopez, G.P., McGill, D. and McKenzie, J. (2024b): Airborne geophysics data analysis and interpretation, Canadian Shield, northeastern Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Special Report 119, 111 p.

Lopez, G.P., McGill, D., Brem, A. and McKenzie, J. (2026): Airborne geophysics data analysis and interpretation, central Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Special Report 124, 122 p.

  Logical_Consistency_Report: Data were compiled into a single dataset, with each row representing a unique record. The Sample_ID column is the primary and unique key field.

Multiple samples may have been collected from a single well.

Modal mineralogy and lithology were qualitatively compared to whole-rock geochemical data (from DIG 2026-0001) and hand sample descriptions of the same samples to corroborate petrographic descriptions.

Modal mineral abundances are provided as whole-number volume percentages. Modal mineral abundances of less than 1 vol.% are signified by "tr" (trace). Fields containing the value -9999 denote a null value.

  Completeness_Report: The dataset includes petrographic descriptions for all thin sections prepared as part of this project.

  Positional_Accuracy:

    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

   Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Core locations are based on the unique well identifier. This dataset uses surface-hole latitude and longitude coordinates provided by the Alberta Energy Regulator.

    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

   Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Samples were collected based on core depth relative to kelly bushing. Core depth was referenced to the core boxes.

  Lineage:

    Source_Information:

      Source_Citation:

        Citation_Information:

          Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

          Originator: Morley, E.C.

          Originator: Rabbani, A.

          Publication_Date: 2026

          Title: Inorganic Whole-Rock Geochemistry of Samples from the Precambrian Basement in Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

          Series_Information:

            Series_Name: Digital Data

            Issue_Identification: DIG 2026-0001

          Publication_Information:

            Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

            Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

          Public_URL: https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/dig-2026-0001

   Source_Scale_Denominator:

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

        Source Time Period of Content:

          Time Period Information:

            Single Date/Time:

       Calendar_Date: 2026

     Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

     Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DIG 2026-0001

     Source_Contribution: Modal mineralogy and lithology were qualitatively compared to whole-rock geochemical data of the same samples to corroborate petrographic descriptions.

    Process_Step:

   Process_Description: Drillcore samples were collected at the Alberta Energy Regulator’s Core Research Centre (CRC) in Calgary from 2024 to 2025. AGS staff recorded sample information, such as well name, depth, and a brief lithological description at the time of collection. Using a lapidary saw, AGS staff cut the collected samples into approximately 27 mm by 46 mm by 20 mm rock billets.

In 2025, 77 rock billets were submitted for thin section preparation to Spectrum Geosciences who subcontracted the work to Wagner Petrographic. In 2026, 13 additional rock billets were submitted to Spectrum Geosciences who completed the work.

Thin sections were prepared as 27 mm by 46 mm slides and ground to a thickness of 30 µm. The thin sections were polished and left uncovered (no cover slip applied).

   Process_Date: 2025

      Process_Step:

    Process_Description: AGS staff used a polarized light (petrographic) microscope to view the thin sections. Rock textures, modal mineralogy, and lithology was recorded, and a brief description was prepared for each thin section.

    Process_Date: 2026

  Data_Quality_Information:

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: DIG 2026-0018

Entity_Type_Definition: This digital data release comprises summary petrographic descriptions of samples from Alberta's Precambrian basement, collected from drillcore housed at the Core Research Centre (CRC) in Calgary.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sample_ID

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Unique sample number assigned to sample at time of collection.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Samp_type

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Denotes the type of sample, either drillcore or the quality control sample added prior to sending to the laboratory.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: UWI_label

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Unique identifier assigned by the Alberta Energy Regulator to a licensed wellbore, in 21-digit format.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Well_name

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: The official well name as it appears on the well licence.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Lat_NAD83

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Surface hole latitude, NAD83 datum, decimal degrees north.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Long_NAD83

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Surface hole longitude, NAD83 datum, decimal degrees east.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: KB_el_m28

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Elevation of the well's kelly bushing, in metres above sea level, Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1928.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Depth_m

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Core depth of the sample, in metres above sea level. Samples are taken over an approximately 10 cm interval.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Domain

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Basement domain underlying the well surface location, interpreted from AGS SPE 119, AGS SPE 120, AGS SPE 122, and AGS

SPE 124.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Gen_lith

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: General lithology of the sample, interpreted from hand sample observations, petrographic analysis, and whole-rock geochemistry data.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Lithology

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Lithology of the sample, interpreted from hand sample observations, petrographic analysis, and whole-rock geochemistry data.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Textures

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Notable geological textures of the sample based on hand sample observations and petrographic analysis.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Descrip

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Description of the sample based on petrographic analysis.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Qz_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of quartz observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Pl_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of plagioclase observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Afs_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of alkali feldspar observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Opx_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of orthopyroxene observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Cpx_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of clinopyroxene observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Amp_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of amphibole observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bt_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of biotite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Grt_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of garnet observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ms_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of muscovite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Chl_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of chlorite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ep_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of epidote observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sil_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of sillimanite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Crd_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of cordierite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: And_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of andalusite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Cal_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of calcite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Opq_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of opaque minerals observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Zrn_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of zircon observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Mnz_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of monazite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ap_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of apatite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Aln_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of allanite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ttn_pct

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Modal percentage of titanite observed in thin section.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Publisher

Attribute_Definition_Source: Alberta Geological Survey

Attribute_Definition: Organization that published the dataset.

  Distribution_Information:

    Distributor:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Organization_Primary:

          Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

          Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type: mailing and physical

          Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

          Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

          City: Edmonton

          State_or_Province: Alberta

          Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

          Country: Canada

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

        Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Distribution_Liability: The Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey (AER/AGS) licenses this information under the Open Government License - Alberta. Any references to proprietary software in our documentation, and/or any use of proprietary data formats in our releases, do not constitute endorsement by the AER/AGS of any manufacturer's product.

  Metadata_Reference_Information:

    Metadata_Date: 20261008

    Metadata_Contact:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Organization_Primary:

          Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

          Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type: mailing and physical

          Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

          Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

          City: Edmonton

          State_or_Province: Alberta

          Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

          Country: Canada

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

        Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

    Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

    Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

    Metadata_Access_Constraints: none

    Metadata_Use_Constraints: none