Book excerpt: Conceptual Models in Exploration Geochemistry: The Canadian Cordillera and Canadian Shield is a compilation of 38 case histories from the shield and the cordillera. This volume aims to develop models ideally for the systematic description and exploration of geochemical data. These idealized models describe the principles and mechanisms of anomalies, which govern the use of exploration geochemistry. Furthermore, this volume focuses on the use of soils and sediments in exploration geochemistry. This volume is divided into four sections, the first of which is an introduction about landscape geochemistry, the idealized models, standardization of field data, and the general principles of geochemical migration. The second section consists of the idealized models and nineteen case studies obtained from the Canadian Cordillera. The third section also consists of idealized models and case studies but these were obtained from the Canadian Shield. Both the second and third sections discuss, in different views, the mineral zoning and distribution of mineralization, Pleistocene geology, physiography, climate and vegetation, and soils. This volume concludes with a discussion on orientation sampling and standardization of data collection and presentation.