Bedrock Topography of Alberta, Version 2 (gridded data, ASCII format)

The bedrock topography of Alberta is the unconformity surface at the top of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene bedrock, and reveals geomorphic features created by Paleogene to Recent river systems and Quaternary glaciation.

This grid is a digital rendering of the bedrock topography of Alberta, produced using machine learning techniques to include 39 terrain and geological input predictors to supplement point data. Previously published information from Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) maps and reports, as well as new data were used as input point data. The grid was modelled using a 500 m grid cell spacing and should not be used for local-scale studies requiring a higher spatial resolution.

This grid updates the topographic surface portrayed in AGS Map 602, Bedrock Topography of Alberta. The bedrock topography gridded surface provides the lowermost bounding surface for modelled Neogene-Quaternary sediment units, and is the uppermost bounding surface for bedrock units modelled in the Geological Framework of Alberta. Improving the accuracy of this surface is necessary, as knowledge of the position and thickness of overlying sediments is critical for management of groundwater, aggregate, and energy resources, as well as for other land-use applications.