I'r - Memorial University of Newfoundland

Natural Resources: The lower Great Lakes region is enriched in natural resources
many ofwhkh actually underlay Lake Eric (Fig. 2.1.10). The oortbcm and castcm parts
of thc lake are underlain bycxtensive gas pools derived from Lowu Silurian saodstoocs.,
Maitland Pool and a Silurian Carbonate Unit, Morpeth Pool (Caner, 1992). Besides. the
Marce llus Formation, Middle Devonian, which forms the bedrock in restricted areas of
the northern part ofthe Centra1 Basin, is considered as a potential oil shale (Johnson et
0/., 1989; Obermajer el a/.. 1995). In southwestern Ontario, sballowrescrvoin of
Devonian age are found aJong the St. Clair and Detroit RivetS and oonbem margin oftbc
w esrem Basin. In addition. Silurian oil pools exist along the Michigan sho re in the
western part of the lakc (Fig. 2.1.10).
Thus Lake Erie spans an extensive area in the central part ofthc Nonh American
coerieent and is chanctcrized by specific physicalfeatures, water balaoce, and the
patterns ofwater circulation and sedimentation. Different regions of this vast area vary in
their climatic conditions. Finally, this arca is associated with extensive resources of
hydrocarbons located primarily in thc oonhem andeastern parts oftbe lake.
2.2 ECONOMIC G EOGRAPHY
The borderbetween the United Stales and Canada splits the lake into two almost
equal parts. (Fig. 2.2.1). Differences in management policies ofthe two countries result
in a different approac h to the exp loitation ofnatural resources and industry distribution.
An example of the different approach is the management of tile extensive bydrocalbon
reservoirs Wtderiying the region. Exploitation oftbe natural resources is DOt allowed in
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