Lead: Steve Blasco, Natural Resources Canada
Oil and gas exploration in the deep waters of the Beaufort Sea requires knowledge of seabed stability conditions to ensure safe drilling practices. Under this initiative, the Geological Survey of Canada is conducting a regional assessment of seabed instability conditions, such as mud volcanoes, gas vents and faults, subsea permafrost, and the severity of these geohazards. Seabed geohazard research provides baseline knowledge in support of spill prevention and contributes to the preservation of the marine ecosystem and protection of renewable resources. Research findings from this regional assessment will be essential for environmental impact assessments and will support informed decision making in the development of an effective regulatory regime.