The Nova Scotia offshore covers approximately 40 million hectares and includes part of Georges Bank, the eastern Gulf of Maine, Bay of Fundy, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Laurentian Channel and the Scotian Shelf and Scotian Slope, which together form part of the continental margin of eastern Canada. The margin evolved subsequent to the rifting of the supercontinent Pangea and the ensuing sediment accumulation in the basins has created conditions suitable for the generation and preservation of oil and natural gas.

The offshore areas of Nova Scotia are important links in the chronology of events that comprise the province's geological history. During the last few decades, there has been increasing interest in offshore oil and natural gas exploration, and more recently, marine mineral potential. Topics T2.1-T2.6 discuss Nova Scotia's geologic story. This Topic summarizes the pieces of the story which are in evidence offshore.

This Document Includes:

Geological Subdivision of the Offshore
Stratigraphy
Sills and Dykes
Triassic / Jurassic Red Beds and Salt
Middle Jurassic Carbonate and Mud
Late Jurassic Deltas
Cretaceous Deltas
Late Cretaceous / Early Tertiary
Recent Deposits
Cultural Factors

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Additional Keywords:
Magdalen Basin, Sydney Basin, Fundy Basin, Scotian Basin, Georges Bank, LaHave Platform, Canso Ridge, Grand Banks, Pleistocene, glacial deposits, hydrocarbons, Carboniferous, Quaternary, Tertiary, Wisconsian ice sheet, Sable Island, MicMac Formation, Missisauga Formation, Logan Canyon Formation.

Associated Topics:

T2.2 The Avalon and Meguma Zones
T2.6 The Triassic Basalts and Continental Rifting
T3.1 Development of the Ancient Landscape
T3.4 Terrestrial Glacial Deposits and Landscape Features
T3.5 Offshore Bottom Characteristics
T12.3 Geology and Resources

Associated Habitats:

H1 Offshore
H2 Coastal