Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
Scientists analyse lime resources in the UK
25/10/2021
A study by BGS scientists could help to improve soil magnesium concentrations and pH in grassland areas of England and Wales, with benefits for UK agriculture and farming.
New method offers rapid monitoring of contamination in drinking water
20/10/2021
Scientists have developed an innovative new method to monitor the risk of contamination in drinking water with immediate results, enabling global communities to respond rapidly and help reduce exposure to deadly diarrhoeal diseases.
UKRI Chief Executive, Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, visits BGS
08/10/2021
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser visited BGS in a special tour of the East Midlands’ science and technology hubs.
BGS maps help understand relationship between groundwater and fracking
07/10/2021
BGS and the Environment Agency have published a series of maps that show the depth to each shale gas and oil source rock below principal groundwater aquifers in England and Wales.
Making recommendations for the management of carbon dioxide storage and unconventional hydrocarbon extraction sites
04/10/2021
The safe operation of geoenergy and subsurface storage sites is required to help meet net zero carbon ambitions.
BGS evaluation stakeholder feedback survey
30/09/2021
As part of our governance relationship with NERC, we are undergoing an evaluation of our service provision and performance as a geological survey over the last five years.
Phosphorus in caves: a new methodological development being pioneered at Poole’s Cavern with the help of BGS
30/09/2021
Alistair Morgan is exploring how phosphorous enters cave systems and if stalagmites could be used to unravel past temperatures.
Wildlife and biodiversity gains at BGS
27/09/2021
Our rewilding scheme is already encouraging more diverse fauna onto our Keyworth site.
Glaciers retreat; soils emerge – summer fieldwork at 79°N
14/09/2021
Studying the evolution of newly emerging soils uncovered by retreating glaciers on the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.
BGS highlights the importance of geoscience for climate action in series of virtual lectures
01/09/2021
As part of BGS’ Geoscience Solutions for Net Zero campaign, the lectures will feature a range of topics delivered by experts in geoscience.
Our core challenge areas
Decarbonisation and resource management
Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience.
Environmental change, adaptation and resilience
We are undertaking research aimed at reducing vulnerability, protecting resources and building resilience in response to substantial environmental changes.
Multi-hazards and resilience
We work with partners worldwide to enhance understanding of hazards, vulnerability, exposure and risk to ensure our science is useful, usable and used.
Global geoscience
The BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.
National geoscience
The National Geoscience programme is a forward-looking investment in UK geology that provides relevant, coherent and enriched geoscience knowledge for our stakeholders.
Digital geoscience
The BGS is a data-rich organisation. Our data science and data infrastructure are fundamental to our future research and underpin our strategic challenges.
Map viewers
Data published through map viewers allowing you to reveal more about the ground beneath your feet.
Technologies
Applications, software and online services created by the BGS and our collaborators.
Information hub
Data collections, publications, scanned records and other data gathered by BGS and provided by external organisations.
OpenGeoscience
OpenGeoscience is a free service where you can view maps, download data, scans, photos and other information.
Digital geoscience
The BGS is a data-rich organisation. Our data science and data infrastructure are fundamental to our future research and underpin our strategic challenges.
Digital data licensing and resellers
If you are interested in an information product and the Open Government Licence is not applicable, we encourage the use and exploitation of our information products by providing a wide range of licences.
National Geoscience Data Centre
The National Geoscience Data Centre collects and preserves geoscientific data, making it available to a wide range of users and communities.
National Geological Repository
The National Geological Repository holds our collections of borehole cores, cuttings, samples, specimens, and related subsurface information from the UK landmass and continental shelf.
Discovering Geology
Discovering Geology introduces a range of geoscience topics to school-age students and learners of all ages. Explore these pages to discover the fascinating processes and properties that shape our dynamic planet.
Rocks and minerals
Find out more about the differences between rocks and minerals and how they are formed.
Climate change
Climate is the pattern of weather of an area averaged over many years. We can only show whether climate change has occurred after decades of careful measurements and analysis.
Earth hazards
The Earth beneath our feet is constantly shifting and moving, and violently with catastrophic and immediate results. Find out more about earth hazards.
Geological processes
Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing. Find out about the processes that cause these changes.
Fossils and geological time
Take a look at the history of the Earth, from its formation over four and a half billion years ago to present times.
About BGS
As the national geological survey, we are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative scientific data, information and knowledge to help society understand our Earth.
Our data and services
The BGS offers a range of services and information for businesses, home-owners, policymakers and the general public.
Working with us
BGS is committed to being an employer of choice and strives to embrace a culture of inclusivity and flexibility.
Offices and locations
Find out more about our offices and facilities located across the UK.
Contact us
Find out more about the BGS and the services we offer through our enquiries and customer services team.