Our objective is to survey the whole nation
The first regional, high-resolution airborne geophysical survey in the UK was flown for BGS over the English Midlands in 1998 (HiRES-1). This provided invaluable magnetic and radiometric data but the aircraft was not equipped with modern EM sensors. Subsequent trial surveys in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) demonstrated that EM data are essential for tackling many environmental problems, especially those related to groundwater protection, and that the three datasets together (radiometric, magnetic and EM) provide a comprehensive integrated picture of the environmental and structural characteristics of the subsurface. It has become clear that the lack of systematic coverage leaves a serious ‘knowledge gap’ in our ability to manage the environment. This provides the rationale for establishing the Joint Airborne-geoscience Capability (JAC) and underpins the case for national coverage.
Northern Ireland was the first part of the UK to recognise the need for a modern high-resolution airborne survey, supported by an independent cost-benefit analysis. The Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment (DETI) provided funding for a survey of the entire province (some 80 000 line-km) as part of the ‘Tellus’ project. The survey commenced in 2005 and was completed in June 2006. The first results have exceeded expectations and are already exciting the interest of the planning, mineral and environmental communities.
Initial data from Tellus 2005
After Northern Ireland, our ambition is to cover the rest of the UK in a series of regional surveys. This will not be cheap (around £30m spread over many years) but the cost is relatively modest in relation to the very wide range of applications and the considerable cost of not protecting the environment. Funding contributions are being sought from government departments and agencies in all parts of Great Britain. The data will provide an invaluable resource for environmental monitoring, planning and sustainable development, and will also provide a ´snapshot in time´ against which future environmental change can be monitored.
For further information please contact:
Dr David Beamish on 0115 936 3432
British Geological Survey
Keyworth
Nottingham NG12 5GG
