Welcome to BGS - British Geological Survey (original) (raw)

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Understanding our Earth

We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.

Damage caused in Thailand by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004. BGS © UKRI.

Aerial view of the UK Geoenergy Observatory in Cheshire, located in the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park. BGS © UKRI.

Loading samples into the small carbonates mass spectrometer at the BGS Stable Isotope Facility. BGS © UKRI.

Magnetic declination (the angle between magnetic and geographic north) in 2025 according to WMM2025. Red is magnetic north to east of geographic north; blue is to west. BGS © UKRI and © Wessel, P., and W. H. F. Smith (1996), A global, self-consistent, hierarchical, high-resolution shoreline database, J. Geophys. Res., 101(B4), 8741–8743, doi:10.1029/96JB00104 (v2.3.6)

Athena SWAN Silver Accreditation

Hemerdon mine, Devon. BGS © UKRI.

Nandi, Victoria Basin. BGS © UKRI.

The Mercia Mudstone Group rock cores being scanned and analysed at BGS’s Core Scanning Facility (CSF). BGS © UKRI.

Dr Gavin Mudd, Director - Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre

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BGS news

UK 2024 Criticality Assessment published

28/11/2024

The latest UK Criticality Assessment, produced by the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, shows that growing diversification brings an increasing vulnerability in terms of disruption to supply.

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Brighid Ó Dochartaigh, recipient of the Younger Medal by the Geological Society.

Private photo taken of Lagoon at Rutland Water.

Data

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

Ince Marshes © Peter Corcoran

Photo by Marc Szeglat on Unsplash

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.

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BGS Global Geoscience

International geoscience

BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.

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Avon Gorge at Clifton. Looking north.

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.

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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.

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Image from BGS Geology of Britain Map

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

BGS Geology 250k sample

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.

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BGS Maps Portal

Map viewers

Data published through map viewers allowing you to reveal more about the ground beneath your feet.

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igeology3D

Technologies

Applications, software and online services created by the BGS and our collaborators.

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old mining plans

Information hub

Data collections, publications, scanned records and other data gathered by BGS and provided by external organisations.

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BGS iGeology app

OpenGeoscience

Accessing maps and downloading data, scans, photos and other information via BGS’s free OpenGeoscience service.

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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.

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Aeromagnetic surveys

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.

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BGS core store

Discover Geology

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.

Explore Discovering Geology

Highlights

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Iceberg P912184

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.

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lava flow - Pexels / Pixabay

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.

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A waterfall in Iceland

Geological processes

Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing. Find out about the processes that cause these changes.

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fishThroughTime

View up Glen Rosa towards Cir Mhor, Arran. Andrew Finlayson and Martin Gillespie in foreground.

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.

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Highlights

Geologist using field tablet

Our work

Our vision is for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous planet and a future based on sound geoscientific solutions.

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BGS core store

BGS Our Team

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.

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Working with us

Working with us

BGS is committed to being an employer of choice and strives to embrace a culture of inclusivity and flexibility.

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BGS William Smith Building- Alexander Rotton

BGS Keyworth - Alexander Rotton

Contact us

Find out more about the BGS and the services we offer through our enquiries and customer services team.

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