What is the British Geological Survey?

Founded in 1835, the British Geological Survey (BGS) is the world's oldest national geological survey and the United Kingdom's premier centre for earth science information and expertise.

As a public sector organisation BGS is responsible for advising the UK government on all aspects of geoscience as well as providing impartial geological advice to industry, academia and the public. The BGS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training, and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. The NERC reports to the UK government's Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills which works closely with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

We also undertake an extensive programme of overseas research, surveying and monitoring, including major institutional strengthening programmes in the developing world.

Our annual budget is in the region of £52m, about 60% of which comes from NERC's Science Budget, with the remainder coming from commissioned research from the public and private sectors. Further details may be found in our Annual Report.

Our headquarters are at Keyworth, near Nottingham, and we have a regional offices at Edinburgh, Wallingford, London and Cardiff. The BGS also has a presence in Belfast through the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland.