Welcome to the British Geological Survey!
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LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
BGS Blogs
| Celebrating 20 years of virtual reality innovation at BGS 08/04/2025 |
Twenty years after its installation, BGS Visualisation Systems lead Bruce Napier reflects on our cutting-edge virtual reality suite and looks forward to new possibilities. |
BGS News
| Making the case for underground hydrogen storage in the UK 03/04/2025 |
A new BGS science briefing note focuses on the potential of hydrogen storage to support the UK energy transition. |
| New data reveals latest mineral workings around Great Britain and Northern Ireland 01/04/2025 |
The newest release of BGS BritPits provides information on an additional 6500 surface and underground mineral workings. |
| New seabed geology maps to enable long term conservation around Ascension Island 01/04/2025 |
BGS deliver the first marine geology and habitat maps for one of the World’s largest marine protected areas. |
BGS Blogs
| Exploring Scotland’s hidden energy potential with geology and geophysics: fieldwork in the Cairngorms 31/03/2025 |
BUFI student Innes Campbell discusses his research on Scotland’s radiothermal granites and how a fieldtrip with BGS helped further explore the subject. |
BGS News
| New study reveals long-term effects of deep-sea mining and first signs of biological recovery 27/03/2025 |
BGS geologists were involved in new study revealing the long-term effects of seabed mining tracks, 44 years after deep-sea trials in the Pacific Ocean. |
| BGS announces new director of its international geoscience programme 17/03/2025 |
Experienced international development research leader joins the organisation. |
| Future projections for mineral demand highlight vulnerabilities in UK supply chain 13/03/2025 |
New Government-commissioned studies reveal that the UK may require as much as 40 per cent of the global lithium supply to meet anticipated demand by 2030. |
| Presence of harmful chemicals found in water sources across southern Indian capital, study finds 10/03/2025 |
Research has revealed the urgent need for improved water quality in Bengaluru and other Indian cities. |
| Critical Mineral Intelligence Centre hosts second conference 28/02/2025 |
The Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre conference took place at BGS’s headquarters in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. |
| Dr Kathryn Goodenough honoured with prestigious award from The Geological Society 27/02/2025 |
Dr Kathryn Goodenough has been awarded the Coke Medal, which recognises those who have made a significant contribution to science. |
| Call for new members and Chair to join the NERC facilities steering committees 18/02/2025 |
New members are needed to join the committees over the next four years. |
Our Core Challenge Areas
| Environmental change |
| Decarbonisation |
| Multi-hazards |
Research
Our research includes core geological survey and monitoring work and other innovative projects addressing today's geoscientific challenges driven by the changing needs of our stakeholders
Research Highlights
| Decarbonisation and resource management Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience. |
| Multi-hazards and resilience We work with partners worldwide to enhance understanding of hazards, vulnerability, exposure and risk to ensure our science is useful, usable and used. |
| International geoscience BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors. |
| National geoscience The National Geoscience programme is a forward-looking investment in UK geology that provides relevant, coherent and enriched geoscience knowledge for our stakeholders. |
| Digital geoscience The BGS is a data-rich organisation. Our data science and data infrastructure are fundamental to our future research and underpin our strategic challenges. |
Data
The BGS is a data-rich organisation with over 400 datasets in its care, including environmental monitoring data, digital databases, physical collections (borehole core, rocks, minerals and fossils), records and archives.
Data Highlights
| Datasets We have a wide range of licensed geoscience data. The datasets range from the geological data family (BGS Geology) to offshore data, ground stability datasets and 3D models. |
| Map viewers Data published through map viewers allowing you to reveal more about the ground beneath your feet. |
| Technologies Applications, software and online services created by the BGS and our collaborators. |
| Information hub Data collections, publications, scanned records and other data gathered by BGS and provided by external organisations. |
| OpenGeoscience Accessing maps and downloading data, scans, photos and other information via BGS’s free OpenGeoscience service. |
| Digital geoscience The BGS is a data-rich organisation. Our data science and data infrastructure are fundamental to our future research and underpin our strategic challenges. |
Geoscience information
| Digital data licensing and resellers Providing a wide range of licences for the use and utilisation of our information products by for those interested in an information product and the Open Government Licence is not applicable. |
| National Geoscience Data Centre Collecting and preserving geoscientific data, making it available to a wide range of users and communities. |
| National Geological Repository Hosting BGS’s collections of borehole cores, cuttings, samples, specimens, and related subsurface information from the UK landmass and continental shelf. |
Discovering Geology
Discovering Geology introduces a range of geoscience topics to school-age students and learners of all ages. Explore these pages to discover the fascinating processes and properties that shape our dynamic planet.
Discovering Geology Highlights
| Rocks and minerals Find out more about the differences between rocks and minerals and how they are formed. |
| Discovering Geology: climate change What is the difference between weather and climate? what causes the Earth’s climate to change and what are the impacts? Find out more with our Discovery Geology climate change resources. |
| Earth hazards The Earth beneath our feet is constantly shifting and moving, and violently with catastrophic and immediate results. Find out more about earth hazards. |
| Geological processes Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing. Find out about the processes that cause these changes. |
| Fossils and geological time Take a look at the history of the Earth, from its formation over four and a half billion years ago to present times. |
About BGS
As the national geological survey, we are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative scientific data, information and knowledge to help society understand our Earth.
Explore About BGS Highlights
| Our work Our vision is for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous planet and a future based on sound geoscientific solutions. |
| Our data and services The BGS offers a range of services and information for businesses, home-owners, policymakers and the general public. |
| Our team The BGS team features a wide range of geoscience specialists. Find out more about our staff, senior management board and the BGS board. |
| Working with us BGS is committed to being an employer of choice and strives to embrace a culture of inclusivity and flexibility. |
| Offices and locations Find out more about our offices and facilities located across the UK. |
| Contact us Find out more about the BGS and the services we offer through our enquiries and customer services team. |
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