OGS helps people understand how to apply the geological knowledge about Ontario to address a range of public policy issues.
Ontario's geology includes: a) the rock (bedrock); b) the deposits of sand, gravel, and till left by the glaciers; c) the mineral resources and potential; d) the energy resource potential within the rocks and soils; and e) the groundwater aquifers that contain groundwater resources.
This geological knowledge is used to assess Earth resource potential, to attract investment, to ensure the health and safety of Ontario people from geo-hazards, and to plan the present and future use of the land.
The OGS is a science-based organization that conducts field studies.
To facilitate use of geological information by a range of technical and non-technical users, OGS provides many of Ontario's key, regional, geological databases for easy viewing on Google Earth, but using the OGSEarth function.