The British Geological Survey took to the air on 20 November 2009 in the aftermath of the flooding, which devastated homes and businesses in the North West England and South West Scotland, to find out how modern flooding compares to ancient flood areas. BGS photographer Fergus MacTaggart observed flooding from 600m (2000 ft) as he flew over the worst affected areas around Cockermouth and Workington.

Why do geological maps reflect areas prone to flooding?

Areas which have been flooded in the past have deposits of clay, silt and sand left by the flood water. These areas are called floodplains and coastal plains and can be extracted from geological maps. They indicate areas with a potential to flood in the future.

Flood waters near Papcastle, west Cockermouth

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Flood waters near Papcastle, west Cockermouth - as shown by the BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding Map. The above map shows that some of the floodplain has been modified by man's activities e.g. dismantled railway and adjacent road. (Geological Indicators of Flooding map, British Geological Survey © NERC 2010. OS topography © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. BGS 100017897/2009)

Cockermouth

Papcastle roundabout, West of Cockermouth

Tight meander of the River Derwent at Great Clifton, 4 kms upstream from Workington, 10 kms downstream from Cockermouth

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