We have an active programme of research into floodplains, their origins and implications for landscape development across Great Britain.

Flooding from rivers or the sea takes place across floodplains and coastal plains. Geological maps show where the floodplains and coastal plains in Britain are located and therefore the main areas at greatest risk of flooding. Scientific studies of how floodplains are formed, and what they are made of, can provide important insights into identifying where river and coastal flooding has occurred in the past, and complements other methods for predicting where such flooding may occur in the future.

Another type of flooding that BGS can provide information on is groundwater flooding. Groundwater flooding happens when groundwater (underground water) rises to the land surface. This can happen when the ground is very wet, usually in late winter, and after long or heavy rain storms. Geology affects groundwater flooding and is especially a problem in valleys on the Chalk and that contain thick deposits of sands and gravels.

BGS work on flooding can be accessed through these links

• Photographs of the November 2009 flooding:
  BGS photographer Fergus MacTaggart observed flooding from 600m (2000 ft) as they flew over the worst affected areas around Dumfries, Workington, Cockermouth, and Lockerbie.
• Photographs of the July 2007 flooding:
  BGS flew over the worst affected areas of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. This photographic evidence will be used to improve our understanding of floodplain processes and management of floodplains.
• Photographs of the June 2007 flooding:
  BGS took to the air in the aftermath of the flooding in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Humberside to collect photographic evidence of the link between flood plain extent and extreme flooding events.
• Geological data linked to recent floods



• Geological indicators of flooding:
  The British Geological Survey has released a map illustrating where flooding has happened in the last tens of thousands of years. This new map will be useful to insurers, planners and to all those involved in trying to understand where floods might happen in the future. You can see this data in the geology theme of GeoIndex.
• Britain beneath our feet:
  Follow this link to an online atlas of BGS national datasets. It provides a more general overview of the data we hold, and an introduction to the geological foundations of Great Britain. This link will take you to the Geological indicators of flooding page. This link will take you to the Groundwater flooding page.

Frequently Asked Questions with links to answers:

1. What is the British Geological Survey - Geological Indicators of Flooding Map?
2. Why is geology important for the understanding of flooding behaviour?
3. How groundwater flooding happens?
4. Is BGS doing any research into flooding in the Oxford area?
5. Where can I get more information about hazards near me? Through the geology theme of British Geological Survey's GeoIndex or through the Environment Agency interactive map

For further details or to arrange media interviews please contact :

Clive Mitchell,
Communications Unit
Kingsley Dunham Centre,
Keyworth,
Nottingham,
NG12 5GG
Telephone: +44 (0)115 936 3257
Fax: +44 (0)115 936 3250
Mobile: 07849 714005

• Geology and flooding