Alberta is well known for having substantial natural resources, so it is not surprising that there is a keen interest in the natural environment and geology that this wealth comes from. Dig for more knowledge about Alberta's geology in the following excerpts from the book, A Traveller's Guide to Geological Wonders in Alberta by Ron Mussieux and Marilyn Nelson, reprinted with the kind permission of the authors and the Provincial Museum of Alberta (now the Royal Alberta Museum).

The Geologic Time Scale - pp 19, 20

Scientists believe the earth to be about 4.5 billion years old. Geologists have separated this time into eons, eras, and periods, each with its own name. Periods are the most basic unit of geologic time. Rocks representing most of these time periods are found in Alberta.

The best way for geologists to see subsurface rocks in their proper sequence is to look at oil well drill cores. Normally, the well starts in younger rocks and cuts through successively older rocks, and if one continued drilling, the Precambrian basement of Alberta would eventually be reached.

During the drilling process, rock fragments are brought to the surface and identified by a geologist. These rocks are used to produce a diagram, called a rock column, that shows rock types, thicknesses, and fossils. Related rock layers are grouped into formations and given a name.