This GIS data set depicts the faults in the Peace River Arch Region, based on petroleum well log data including formation picks. Well data were sourced from Accumap and EUB data sets. These faults are interpreted from structure top residual surfaces generated by the removal of geological trend. The geological trend was modelled using geostatistical analysis to highlight local offset in multiple, easily recognizable formation tops.The stratigraphic interval considered was from the Cretaceous down to the top of the PreCambrian.

This dataset (lineaments_ln_ll.shp) comprises structural features compiled into GIS format from existing literature, published up to 2003. The data represent fault/lineament locations known or inferred in the Alberta Plains. We have chosen to digitize and publish all lineaments from source maps even where they extended beyond the Alberta boundary. Each compiled feature is characterized by a set of attributes including: affected formations (oldest affected and oldest non-affected stratigraphic unit), fault type, fault sense of displacement, evidence used to infer the fault/lineament, original reference information and publication scale, and an estimate of the georeferencing error. The completeness of the captured attribute set varies for each feature as a function of the level of detail in the source article. The data set should be used cautiously. First, the original authors' interpretation of subsurface faults, particularly of 'basement faults', from air photo or satellite imagery lineaments is tenuous. Second, the vast majority of faults inferred in the foreland basin (Alberta Plains) east of the deformation front are normal-slip faults. although only the dip slip component has been inferred, some of these faults may also have a strike-slip component, generally not accounted for. Third, the location of lineaments includes cumulative errors inherent in the process of transferring into GIS lineaments traced by hand in the pre-computer era on small scale (regional) paper-copy maps. Such errors include spatial imprecisions in original lineament identification and drawing and errors in georefencing of the source map, as well as minor errors introduced during lineament digitization. Although each of them is minor at the scale of the original map, the cumulative effect of these errors may be significant and even misleading for large-scale (township or larger) projects.

The dataset includes subsurface stratigraphic picks for the formations that comprise the Beaverhill Lake Group (Townships 29 to 113, Ranges 1W4 to 13W6) made from wireline geophysical well logs. The dataset also includes picks for the underlying Elk Point Group, and the overlying Woodbend Group. Lithostratigraphic picks for the Beaverhill Lake Group include the Fort Vermilion Formation, the Swan Hills Formation, the Slave Point Formation, and the Waterways Formation (top of the Beaverhill Lake Group). Lithostratigraphic picks for the underlying Elk Point Group include the Prairie Evaporite Formation, the Sulphur Point Formation, and the Watt Mountain Formation (base of the Beaverhill Lake Group). Lithostratigraphic picks for the overlying Woodbend Group include the Cooking Lake Formation, or its equivalent.