Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
The British Geological Survey and Natural History Museum “Research Partnership for the Future” 2022
20/01/2022
The Memorandum of Understanding reflects and builds on the two organisations’ shared history and sets out a roadmap of working collaboratively to deliver our joint ambitions.
Soil maps could hold the key for urban planning
18/01/2022
Research by BGS has developed a predictive model to evaluate levels of bioaccessible contaminants in urban soils and their relationship with the underlying geology and former industrial land use.
Going greener at work
04/01/2022
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint through small changes in your daily activities, from methods of transport to activities at work or the home office space.
Important new report outlines status of geological storage of carbon dioxide in Europe
22/12/2021
The latest news on the status of geological storage of carbon dioxide in Europe is outlined in a comprehensive new report from CO2GeoNet.
New research reveals fresh insights into the role of karst in the Chalk aquifer
20/12/2021
New research has thrown fresh light on what scientists understand about the role of karst in the Chalk aquifer, which provides public water supplies to millions of people, agriculture and industry, and sustains vital habitats.
Evidence Week 2021
15/12/2021
Representatives from BGS took part in Evidence Week 2021 to talk to parliamentarians about unlocking the potential of geothermal energy in the UK.
Accessing open source BGS software through GitHub
15/12/2021
BGS is increasingly utilising GitHub to make its software available as open source and encourage collaboration with partners and the wider community.
Secure your digital datasets — by letting a data centre look after them!
10/12/2021
Mark Fellgett discusses why data centres should be the de facto option for the storage of geoscience data.
Geochemical predictive mapping in western Kenya
05/12/2021
To mark World Soil Day, Olivier Humphrey highlights the soil-related activities of the BGS Inorganic Geochemistry Facility and its partners in western Kenya.
Evaluating contamination in sediment, waters and fish from two contrasting catchments in England
02/12/2021
Calum Ramage’s PhD project sets out to assess the impacts of pesticides and trace metals on British rivers.
BGS to deliver three-year groundwater flood forecasting service to support emergency response to flooding
29/11/2021
BGS is delivering a national-scale early warning system for groundwater flooding, alongside the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
A new suite of AGS file utilities and public API
24/11/2021
BGS has released an online AGS file utilities tool validator.
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.