Selected geoscience data from the Western Churchill NATMAP project, Kivalliq region, Nunavut, Volume I

Traditionally, geoscience data is stored in analog format, however, with the advent of easy to use GIS software, more and more data is now generated and stored in digital format. This allows for easier archiving of the data and for easier sharing of information, a key factor with fewer resources available to both public and private sectors. A large component of all NATMAP (National Mapping Programme) projects is the compilation of a digital database of geoscience data, and the release of this data to the public as quickly as possible. The goal of the "Selected Geoscience Data from the Western Churchill NATMAP Project, Kivalliq Region, Nunavut - Volume I" CD-ROM release is thus to provide an initial archive of existing and new, digital Western Churchill (approximately 60-68N and 88-104W) data in standard, easy to use formats that allow both novice and expert GIS users to quickly extract and use the information they need. The data contained on this CD-ROM incorporates Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (DIAND) geoscience data compiled and re- formatted under the auspices of the Western Churchill NATMAP project. Each data set on the CD-ROM is an independent Open File (GSC) or EGS-series (GNWT or DIAND) data set published by the authors noted in the user guide and metadata files. In all cases, the digital data presented on this CD-ROM are also available in analog format from the appropriate agency. Detailed information and references for each data set are provided on the CD- ROM. The data are provided in Arc/Info and common interchange formats (DXF and Arc/Info-E00, DBF, TIF, Microsoft-Excel ) in a standard UTM zone 15, NAD 27 projection. ArcExplorer is provided on the CD-ROM as a data viewer for PC-clients (see http://www.esri.com/software/ for more information). Although the CD-ROM conforms to the ISO-9660 system- independent standard and works identically on a PC, Macintosh or UNIX workstation, no viewer is provided for Macintosh or UNIX users. Data sets provided include bedrock geology, surficial geology, till geochemistry, geophysical data, geochronology data and mineral occurrences.