Geophysics

Geophysics has long been used for the exploration of minerals and hydrocarbons in New Brunswick. The 1950s discovery and delineation of the world-famous base metal deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp occurred largely because prospectors were able to apply several newly developed geophysical techniques.

Objective

The Geological Surveys Branch (GSB) of the Department of Natural Resources manages its Geophysical Program in close co-operation with other government agencies and academic institutes. The program’s key objective is to provide high-quality geophysical data for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration.

Activities

The GSB sponsors various types of geophysical surveys to:

• augment geological mapping programs in New Brunswick;
• promote and aid exploration for mineral and hydrocarbon resources; and
• provide Government and the private sector with geophysical data for groundwater studies, land use planning, and other engineering applications.

The GSB collaborates with the Geophysics Division of the Geological Survey of Canada to develop and maintain a geophysical database for New Brunswick. The database includes both digital and analog information obtained from government and industry surveys.

Surveys and Maps

Geophysical maps listed in the coverage areas as shown in the index maps are available for purchase by contacting geoscience@gnb.ca or by calling 506-453-3826.

2005 Airborne Gravity Survey Data

2004 Aeromagnetic Survey Southeast

0.005 nT sensitivity split-beam cesium vapour magnetometer 300 metre line spacing flown at targeted mean clearance of 150 metres 2004 survey covered NTS topographic sheets 21I/03, 21I/04, 21H/06, 21H/11, 21H/13 & 21H/14 that were merged with recompiled and regridded older non-draped aeromagnetic data from 1990 GSC survey covering NTS sheets 21H/12W and 21H/05W. 1:50 000  scale, total residual field, first vertical derivative and second vertical derivative maps.

2002 Aeromagnetic Survey Southwest

• $255,000 Airborne Geophysical Survey
• fixed-wing, high sensitivity, magnetic survey
• systematic coverage of 4500 square kilometer area
• line spacing of 200 m and terrain clearance of 100 m data will be available in both digital and hard copy format
• products 1:50,000 First Vertical Derivative maps and Residual Total Field maps
• 1:50 000 map coverage
• 1:20 000 map coverage

1997 & 1999 Restigouche Airborne Geophysical Surveys

• $440,000 Airborne Geophysical Survey
• helicopter-mounted, high resolution, multiparameter survey (electromagnetics, magnetics and radiometrics) 
• systematic coverage of 1600 square kilometer area
• line spacing of 200 m and terrain clearance of 60 m data will be available in both digital and hard copy format
• 1:50 000 map coverage
• 1:20 000 map coverage

1997 & 1999 Restigouche Airborne Geochemical Surveys

• $ 100,000 stream-sediment, multi-element geochemical survey
• samples collected at a spacing of 2-3 square kilometers
• analyses of 50+ elements
• orientation survey on three existing mineral deposits
• data will be available in both digital and hard copy formats
• 1:50 000 map coverage
• 1:20 000 map coverage
• See OF 2000-6 / GSC OF 3889

1995 Airborne Geophysical Survey, Bathurst Mining Camp

one million dollars airborne geophysical survey helicopter-mounted, high resolution, multiparameter survey (electromagnetics, magnetics and radiometrics) systematic coverage of 3400 square kilometer area line spacing of 200 m and terrain clearance of 60 m data will be available in both digital and hard copy formats 1:50 000 map coverage 1:20 000 map coverage

1990-1991 Airborne Gamma-Ray Spectrometric Data

In 1990 and 1991, the Geological Survey of Canada conducted multisensor airborne geophysical surveys over part of southeastern New Brunswick. The surveys were conducted using the GSC Skyvan aircraft, flown at 190 km/hr at a mean terrain clearance of 125 m along north-south flight lines spaced every 1000 m.Data covering 14 NTS sheets (21 H/4-6, 10-16; 21 I/02-04; and 21 G/01) were gridded and is presented at a scale of 1:50 000 as colour interval maps of total radioactivity, potassium, equivalent uranium and equivalent thorium concentrations. (See GSC OF 3124)

1983, 1985 & 1986 Airborne Gamma-Ray Spectrometric Data Southwest

Related Publications

• DURLING, P.W. and MARILLIER, F.J.Y. 1990. Structural trends and basement rock subdivisions in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, northern Appalachians. Atlantic Geology, 26, pp. 79-95. 1990.
• DURLING, P. and MARILLIER, F. 1993. Structural elements of the Magdalen Basin, Gulf of St. Lawrence, from seismic reflection data. In Current Research, Part D. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 93-1D, pp. 147-154.
• FORD, K.L. 1982. Investigation of regional airborne gamma ray spectrometric patterns in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In Current Research, Part B. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 82-1B, pp. 177-194.
• KEEN, C.E., KAY, W.A., KEPPIE, D., MARILLIER, F., PE-PIPER, G. and WALDRON, J.W.F. 1991. Deep seismic reflection data from the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine: tectonic implications for the northern Appalachians. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 28, pp. 1096-1111.
• KING, M.S. and BARR, S.M. 2003. Southern New Brunswick potential fields project, Part II: Implications for tectonic analysis. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources; Minerals, Policy and Planning Division, Open File 2003-7, 93 p.
• KING, M.S. and BARR, S.M. 2003. Southern New Brunswick potetnial fields project, Part I: Implications for granite-related gold mineralization in the Clarence Stream area. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy; Minerals, Policy and Planning Division, Open File 2003-6, 49 p.
• KING, M.S. and BARR, S.M. 2004. Southern New Brunswick potential fields project part III; gravity and magnetic methods applied to granite-related mineral exploration in Charlotte County, New Brunswick. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, Minerals, Policy and Planning Division, Open File 2004-4, 76 p.
• KING, M.S and BARR, S.M. 2004. Magnetic and gravity models across terrane boundaries in southern New Brunswick, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 41, pp. 1027-1047.
• THOMAS, M.D. and WILLIS, C. 1989. Gravity modelling of the Saint George Batholith and adjacent terrane within the Appalachian Orogen, southern New Brunswick. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 26, pp. 561-576.
• THOMAS, M.D., HALLIDAY, D.W. and O`DOWD, D.V. 1991. Detailed gravity traverses in the Appalachian Dunnage and Gander terranes, northern New Brunswick. In Current Research, Part D. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 91-1D, pp. 101-109.
• THOMAS, M.D., JOBIN, D., DANIELS, M., CHAMBERLAIN, C., HEARTY, D.B., ZHANG, G. and HALPENNY, J.F. 1996. Detailed gravity studies in support of the EXTECH II Program, Bathurst, mining camp, New Brunswick. Geological Survey of Canada, Current Research 1996-E, pp. 233-242
• THOMAS, M.D., TANCZYK, E.I., CIOPPA, M. and O`DOWD, D.V. 1991. Ground magnetic and rock magnetism studies near the Appalachian Dunnage-Gander terrane boundary, northern New Brunswick. In Current Research, Part D. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 91-1D, pp. 169-178
• THOMAS, M.D., WALKER, J.A., KEATING, P., SHIVES, R., KISS, F. and GOODFELLOW, W.D. 2000. Geophysical atlas of massive sulphide signatures, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Contribution to the 1994. Geophysical atlas of massive sulphide signatures, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Contribution to the 1994-1999 Bathurst Mining Camp, Canada-New Brunswick Exploration Science and Technology (EXTECH II) Initiative. Geological Survey of Canada and New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Minerals and Energy Division (Fredericton) GSC-OPEN FILLE 3887/NBDNRE OF 2000-4. 105p.

For additional information, please contact geoscience@gnb.ca