Abstract:

Reconstructing 3D structural geology from sparse surface and borehole observations is a longstanding challenge with critical applications in mineral exploration, geohazard assessment, and geotechnical engineering. This inherently ill-posed problem is often addressed by classical geophysical inversion methods, which typically yield a single maximum-likelihood model that fails to capture the full range of plausible geology. In this talk, I present StructuralGeo, a rapid simulation engine that generates synthetic lithological models encoding geological knowledge such as the tectonic, magmatic, and sedimentary processes found in textbooks. Using this engine as a synthetic dataset, we train both unconditional and conditional generative AI models that can reconstruct multiple plausible 3D scenarios from surface topography and sparse borehole data, depicting structures such as layers, faults, folds, and dikes. 

Bio:

Simon Ghyselincks is a researcher at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Co-advised by Professors Eldad Haber and Evan Shelhamer, his research focuses on the intersection of deep learning and geophysical modeling, specifically developing generative AI models for probabilistic solutions to complex inverse problems. Simon is a recent alumnus of the UBC Engineering Physics program (BASc) and a member of the UBC Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM). In addition to his academic research, he works as a software consultant for Earth Dynamics AI, where he bridges the gap between machine learning research and practical geological applications. His work on synthetic geology and structural modeling was recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Our 2025 annual general (AGM) will be held:

at 4:40pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026
at Room 111 – 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

The main order of business will be to elect the Directors of the BCGS and review the past year’s activity. Our bylaws allow for between 4 and 7 Directors. Four current directors are standing for re-election. No new directors are standing for election.

We are inviting interested persons to nominate themselves for election to join the Board of the BCGS. Please indicate your intent to do so by 23h59 on Monday, March 16, 2026.  All names of prospective candidates will then be included on a revised AGM notice to be emailed out the following business day if any changes are required.

The BCGS directors standing for election are:

The following directors will be stepping down from their positions. The executive would like to thank them for all their hard work and contributions to the BCGS.

• Kyle Patterson (Vice-Chair)
• Francis Jones (Scholarship Coordinator)
• Shawn Letts (Director at Large)

We would like to remind you there are two classes of voting members in the BCGS:

1. General member. An annual fee of $20.
2. Student members. Free membership upon demonstration of enrollment in a post-secondary program at an accredited educational institution.

In order to participate in the vote, you must be a paid member. If you have paid your 2025 or 2026 member dues you are eligible to vote. You can pay your member dues online via our website or pay in cash at the AGM. Eligible students, as defined above, are entitled to vote. Please contact the executive at info at bcgsonline.org to be added to the official member list.

If you have paid or renewed your BCGS membership in the past few months, then your 2026 dues have been paid.

If you are unsure of your current membership status please send us an email (info at bcgsonline.org) and we’d be happy to check for you.

The AGM is open to all BCGS members and non-members of the geophysical community.

The BCGS executive are pleased to announce our upcoming BCGS 2026 Roundup Breakfast.

Breakfast will be served buffet style and consist of fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, freshly baked muffins/croissants, toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, fried potatoes, tomatoes, along with juice/coffee/tea/water.

Please register and pay via Paypal below. Choose “Checkout” to pay by credit card. Your Paypal payment is confirmation of your registration.

Space is limited and this event will sell out. Make sure to register early!

Registration is now closed.

Abstract:

Exploring and utilizing the offshore – From Ocean Networks Canada in general to geological carbon storage in particular
Martin Scherwath, PhD
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)

For two decades, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) at the University of Victoria has been streaming scientific data via ocean cabled networks, first in BC and now covering all of Canada’s three coasts as well as parts of the Southern Ocean. The ocean-based data not only support general oceanographic research but more comprehensively from geology, geophysics, chemistry, biology, acoustics, all the way to particle physics from neutrino observations in the dark abyssal depths. Applied sciences like early earthquake warning or tsunami inundation modelling are also supported. One particular research aspect is climate change mitigation via carbon dioxide removal, and this presentation will highlight the Solid Carbon project that aims to use the ocean crust basalt rock as a vast global carbon storage reservoir. During a 6-year funding period a CO2 injection experiment is planned where ONC’s NEPTUNE observatory enables exhaustive monitoring. ONC data are openly and freely accessible (https://data.oceannetworks.ca), and collaboration is more than welcome.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Martin Scherwath is one of ONC’s Senior Staff Scientists with a focus on gas hydrates, seabed dynamics (turbidity currents), and carbon sequestration projects. As a marine geophysicist, he has expertise in the geophysical imaging of subsurface structures. His research predominantly uses seismic methods to better understand the dynamics of the seafloor in the major fields of gas hydrates and natural gas seepage, as well as subduction zone processes and marine hazards. At ONC, Martin is the contact person for scientific experiments that use the seafloor crawler “Wally” at the Barkley Hydrates site, the Delta Dynamics Laboratory of the Fraser River, and sonar imaging applied to hydrate mounds and gas seepage on the continental slope. Martin is also a coordinator of ONC’s Solid Carbon project, specifically leading the monitoring aspects as this feasibility study transitions toward a demonstration experiment. Martin holds an M.Sc. in Exploration Geophysics from Leeds University and a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Martin was appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor in 2016 at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria where he still teaches and supervises graduate students and post-docs.

https://www.oceannetworks.ca/people/martin-scherwath-ph-d/

The BCGS is exited to formally announce our upcoming 2025 symposium titled
“Natural Source EM“.

The focus of this year’s BCGS Symposium will be on natural source electromagnetic methods for mineral exploration. Presentation topics will focus on:

• Innovations in technology, application and interpretation
• Design and analysis of ground and airborne MT surveys
• Case studies and lessons learned

In addition to technical presentations by industry leading explorationists, geophysicists and academics, information booths will be set up by leading companies to facilitate more direct interaction with the speakers and with industry professionals.

Lunch and snacks are included in the registration fee.

Target Audience: Geophysicists, geologists, students and all exploration and mining professionals.

Exhibit Booths:

• Moombarriga Geoscience:       https://www.m-geo.com/
• Enthalpion Energy LLC:           https://www.enthalpion.energy/
• Expert Geophysics Limited:     https://expertgeophysics.com/
• DIAS Geophysical:                   https://diasgeo.com/
• Computational Geosciences:   https://www.compgeoinc.com/
• Fleet Space Technologies:       https://www.fleetspace.com/
• Phoenix Geophysics:               https://www.phoenixgeophysics.com/

Speakers:

Schedule:

Abstract Booklet:

Sponsors:
A big thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this event happen.

Details:

Registration:

Registration is via Paypal. Your registration is guaranteed once payment has been received. If you would like to register multiple attendees at once, please email info@bcgsonline.org, and we can facilitate this in a single payment.

Payment will be processed via Paypal. To register and pay with a credit or debit card, click on the “Checkout” button below.

• Confirmed speakers and vendors do not need to register.
• You must be a paid 2025 BCGS Member to be eligible for the member rate. Other attendees can use the non-member industry rate.
• The meeting link for virtual attendees will be emailed the week of the symposium.

Note: In-Person spots are now SOLD OUT!!
Virtual registration will remain open until Wed, Nov 5.

Abstract:

KoBold Metal’s approach to inversion is to include as much possible information, including multi-physics datasets and subsurface measurements, to generate large ensembles of candidate models that all explain the observed data. Statistical analysis of those models allows us to quantify the likelihood of finding a particular type of target at any location. This enables us to quantify the risk associated with our drill programs, and helps us to identify and quantify the potential at a project, leading to more accurate and more efficient decision making. We’ll outline how such analysis can also remind us of the inherent limitations of gravity and magnetic data, and we’ll apply the methods on a nickel-sulfide exploration case study.

Bio:

Nick specialises in advanced integration of geology and geophysics through geophysical inversion and data science. He’s worked for Geoscience Australia, the Ivanhoe Group of companies, Barrick and KoBold Metals. Originally a geologist, he also holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of British Columbia.

Recording