2.4 Terrain Mappers and Qualifications for Terrain Mapping

Terrain and surficial geology mapping for programs such as those listed in Table 3 have been carried out by geomorphologists, pedologists and Quaternary geologists. Some of these specialists are on the staff of those departments with a mandate to map surficial materials: MEMPR, GSC, MELP, MOF, MoTH, and AC. Many, however, are private consultants contracted by government agencies or private companies for specific projects.

Terrain mapping requires the application of experience and judgment, and the use of special skills such as air photo interpretation. Thus it is necessary to specify closely the qualifications required of a terrain mapper. Judgment is essential because many aspects of terrain mapping, such as polygon size and number of polygons delimited, are dictated by the characteristics of the landscape that is being mapped and cannot be specified by anyone but the mapper. Also, a thorough understanding of the geological and geomorphological history of the area, including processes, is essential.

Terrain mappers must be members in good standing of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (P.Geo., P.Eng.) or equivalent, and have relevant experience in the fields of Quaternary geology, glacial geology, geomorphology and air photo interpretation. Training must include advanced courses (i.e., 3rd and 4th year university courses) in air photo interpretation (photogrammetry is not relevant), geomorphology and Quaternary geology. Terrain mappers working independently shall have prior experience in terrain mapping.

Minimum Requirements: Terrain mappers shall be a P.Geo. or P.Eng. in good standing, qualified and recognized as a specialist in terrain mapping. Terrain mappers shall have successfully completed advanced courses in geomorphology, Quaternary geology (or glacial geology) and air photo interpretation. Terrain mappers shall have demonstrable experience including supervised work in terrain mapping.

Table 1. Classification of Terrain/Surficial Geology Maps.
(After Bobrowsky et al., 1992)

MAP TYPE	MAP CONTENTS
Aggregate Resources	Sand and gravel deposits.
Biophysical	Terrain, recreation, wildlife, aquatic resources.
Forest Terrain	Basic surficial geology (terrain) maps with slope and topographic information, some with data for logging roads and slope stability.
Generalized Surficial Geology	Texture, genetic materials, depth of surface materials and geological processes.
Geological Hazards and Periglacial	As above with periglacial features.
Geological Hazards	Slope processes, periglacial processes, fluvial processes and other specific hazards.
Geological Processes	Geological processes and status, slopes and specific processes.
Periglacial	Periglacial features.
Physiographic Constraints	Limitations to development, such as depth to bedrock, drainage, impervious horizon, landscape position, organic content, stoniness, slope-topography, soil texture, depth to water table, environmental hazards.
Slope Processes	Slopes and processes acting on slopes (avalanching, gullying and failing).
Soils and Slopes	Typical soil maps with slope information.
Soils and Surficial Geology	Soil associations, surficial geology, topographic classes and soil drainage classes.
Surface Morphology	Similar to terrestrial maps but subaqueous and less specific.
Surficial Geology (Terrain or Landforms)	Texture, genetic materials, surface expression and geological processes.
Surficial Geology and Drainage	Surficial geology and soil drainage.
Surficial Geology and Physiographic Constraints	Combined surficial geology and physiographic constraints.
surficial Geology and Slopes	Surficial geology, slope, and topography.
Surficial Geology and Topography	Surficial geology and topography.
Surficial Geology, Drainage and Slopes	Surficial geology, soil drainage and slopes.
Surficial Materials	Surface materials.
Terrain Evaluation	Surficial sediments, soil survey data, surficial geology maps or soils and landform maps.
Terrain Features	Glacial, periglacial and mass-movement features as well as other landforms.