This report describes and explains the unconsolidated surface materials and landforms of Cape Breton Island, tracing the history of geological processes that shaped the area during the late Cenozoic time and emphasizing the previous interglacial period and the last glacial period. Initial field work was conducted in the summers of 1970 and 1971. Documentation of the surficial geological map units was by ground observation. Most of the coast was studied on foot, with the remainder by boat. Additional incidental observations, local stratigraphic studies, and traverse of new highland forestry access roads were made on an opportunity basis in 1974, 1976, 1982, 1993, and 1994.