Shallow geophysics

BGS Research

BGS Geophysical Tomography (GTom) provides leading-edge technology for non-invasive, geoelectrical imaging of the shallow subsurface.

The techniques (instrumentation, software and methodologies) developed by GTom are used to underpin studies in infrastructure monitoring, waste management, contaminated land remediation and the protection of groundwater and soils, as well as the detection and mitigation of natural hazards. Our PRIME technology permits complex earth systems and processes to be monitored remotely using permanent, in situ sensor networks and wireless telemetry.

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BGS Geophysical Tomography: an introduction.

Find out more about our work

Capacitive Resistivity Imaging (CRI) MkII prototype.

Technologies

Creating innovative technologies with in the field of geophysical and geotechnical monitoring.

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Data collection in a quarry.

Applications

Applications range from mineral exploration and waste management, to monitoring active processes within the subsurface, such as the movement of pollutants, or the flow of groundwater in unstable slopes affecting infrastructure.

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Geographical tomography theory equation

Theory

The team are actively researching and developing new modelling and data analysis methods in geophysical tomography.

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PhD students and graduates

John Ball
‘Use of geophysics for the monitoring of earthen water retaining structures’

Jimmy Boyd
‘Coupled hydrogeophysical and geomechanical modelling of slope stability for improve early warning of landslides’
LinkedIn

Jessica Holmes
‘The use of near-surface geophysical methods for assessing the condition of transport infrastructure’

Alex Priestley
‘Assimilation of geophysical data in snow hydrology modelling

Luke Sibbett
‘Early warning landslide events using computer vision and geophysical image analysis’

Adrian White
‘Seeing inside flood embankments – novel geophysical imaging approaches for assessing the health of safety-critical flood defence infrastructure’
Twitter
LinkedIn

Jim Whiteley
‘Geophysical indicators of slope stability: towards improved early warning of landslide hazards’

Mihai Cimpoiasu
‘Combining geoelectrical imaging and X-ray computed tomography (CT) for improved hydraulic characterization of soils’
LinkedIn

Paul McLachlan
‘Revealing hydrological and biogeochemical heterogeneity at the groundwater-surface water interface using geophysics’
ResearchGate
LinkedIn

Michael Tso
‘Enhancing information content in geophysical data for nuclear site characterisation’
ResearchGate

Current research

River Clyde, Glasgow. © Glasgow Life, Paul Watt Photography
BGS news

UK bidding to host the International Geological Congress 2028

18/03/2024

BGS has partnered with the Geological Society of London and the Scottish Geology Trust to develop a bid to host the 38th International Geological Congress in Glasgow in 2028.

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BGS staff sampling a chalk spring for microplastics in 2024. BGS © UKRI.
BGS news

BGS to lead a new research project on microplastic occurrence in springs

06/03/2024

BGS has been awarded a two-year research project to undertake the first assessment of microplastic occurrence in springs in the UK.

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bgs-open-day-artwork-2024
BGS events

BGS Open Day 2024

Event on 08/06/2024

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Rebecca Mumpansha, a GSD librarian, with the sales stock of geological maps. © Rachel Talbot. 
BGS blogs

Unlocking key mineral archives at the Zambian Geological Survey Department 

23/02/2024

Rachel Talbot recounts a recent visit by BGS Records staff to the Zambian Geological Survey Department, to assist in critical mineral data management.

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You may also be interested in

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BGS PRIME: an early warning system for slope failure

Dam and slope failures can lead to the wide-scale destruction of property and, in some cases, catastrophic loss of life.

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Close up of PRIME hardware.

PRIME

PRIME is a low-cost system specifically designed to monitor through remote operation for deployment on ‘at risk’ geotechnical assets (e.g. embankments; cuttings; dams).

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Geotechnical research and design facility

Engineering and Geotechnical Capability

The BGS Engineering and Geotechnical Capability leads the development and application of field and laboratory infrastructure and long-term management of geophysical and geotechnical property data.

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Debris pathway downslope, partly netted. Debris on the railway line has been cleared and the line is in the process of being repaired.

Landslides

The BGS landslides team is involved in many aspects of landslide research, with the primary objective of building resilience both in the UK and internationally.

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