To broaden their experience, students who work on land are going to sea to witness active tectonics and ore formation in the oceans, and students of marine science are learning about the deep geological history of the continents. Both are learning how comparisons of modern and ancient analogs can benefit their research and what can be gained from a rich understanding of the origin of the Earth’s crust and its contained mineral resources.
Among the specific skills that are urgently needed is the ability to convert diverse geoscience knowledge into regional geological maps that can guide resource exploration, hazard assessment, and new approaches to sustainability. Canada is a leading participant in global mapping initiatives, such as the GEBCO-Nippon Seabed 2030 Challenge, as part of our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But experts acknowledge that there are not enough trained geoscientists to interpret all of the data collected for these programs.