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Anne Botman © Canadian Museum of Nature
The Earth Sciences Section of our Research Services division conducts field and laboratory research in order to examine long-term changes to the Earth, its faunas and its environments. Our geologists and mineralogists provide new information on the evolution of geological environments, and on links between the geosphere and the biosphere. Our palaeobiologists investigate evolutionary and ecological changes in fossil animals, including humans, in response to environmental change.
The work of Earth Sciences focuses on:
Whenever possible, our research efforts directly address the global issue of environmental change, which is a particular interest of the museum. Our research provides baseline data on environmental change that involves both the surface of our planet and the depths within. Our research further examines the evolution and extinctions of past faunas in association with environmental changes.
Furthermore, the museum's Earth Sciences researchers provide data on Late Tertiary and Quaternary faunas, on the role of minerals in carbon cycling and greenhouse gases, and on human settlement and exploitation patterns to help in understanding the human element of environmental change.
Steve Cumbaa © Canadian Museum of Nature
Scanning Electron Microscope photo of a cross-section of a palatine tooth of the fossil fish Enchodus sp., found in Saskatchewan.
The museum's Earth-scientists work in multidisciplinary teams, linking dozens of individual researchers and institutions throughout Canada and the world in partnerships and networks. They work closely with Canadian universities in teaching and in training students, and with federal government agencies and scientific organizations in developing policy and in promoting respect for the natural world.
Within the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Earth Sciences team works closely with its counterparts in Collections, and our research builds on the strengths of the collections themselves. In addition to assisting with identification and organization of the collections, our researchers contribute specimens and data from fieldwork as well as specimens that form the basis of their research. The combined efforts of our Research and Collections staff support a well-documented record of natural history knowledge that is accessible to all Canadians and concerned public throughout the world.
The Earth Sciences team also works directly with other museum staff in the planning and delivery of public programmes and educational events, and in the conception, development and specimen selection for permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum.
Cooperative effort is also required to ensure our research is shared with diverse audiences. Our researchers contribute to nature.ca, author popular and scientific books, are involved in film projects, and provide knowledgeable and accessible information to print, broadcast and electronic media.
Scott Ercit © Canadian Museum of Nature
The cubic symmetry of atoms in the tantalum ore mineral microlite is drawn in yellow on this photograph of the diffraction pattern. Sample size 0.1 mm.
Scott Ercit © Canadian Museum of Nature
When tantalum is hosted by calciotantite, the diffraction pattern shows hexagonal symmetry. Sample size 0.1 mm. Calciotantite is extremely rare: only a few grains are known to exist.
Tantalum can be found in microlite and calciotantite. The atoms of tantalum are arranged differently in each of the minerals in which it appears. When a mineral sample is bombarded with X-rays, the rays are diffracted by the atomic structure of the sample. Atomic structures define crystal structure, and can be observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns.
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