Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
Groundwater’s role in the current drought
15/08/2022
Groundwater can play a vital part in keeping the UK’s water supply flowing, but we need to ensure that we monitor levels and rates of extraction during dry spells.
Sampling salt marsh sediments: a Thames microplastics fieldtrip
15/08/2022
Megan Trusler gives an overview of her PhD project, which studies the role salt marshes play in the accumulation and transport of microplastics.
BGS Strategy stakeholder survey
05/08/2022
Have your say as we develop our new 2023-2027 strategy.
River erosion: the forgotten hazard of flooding
03/08/2022
Impacts from flood events can be widespread, long-lasting and extremely costly. The UK Government and environmental protection agencies continue to invest heavily in mitigation measures, as well as trying to predict which areas are most at risk.
GeoScour dataset launch event
Event on 08/09/2022
BGS Product Development invites you to the launch of our newly updated dataset, GeoScour.
Observing magnetic fields: 100 years of data
02/08/2022
Marking the centenary of the Lerwick Geophysical Observatory.
UK’s geomagnetic blind spots tackled with new observatories
28/07/2022
Three new geomagnetic observatories have been installed across the UK to fill in the country’s ‘blind spots’ and tackle the risk posed by space weather.
560-million-year-old fossil is first animal predator
25/07/2022
The specimen is the first of its kind to be found and is related to the group that includes modern corals, jellyfish and anemones.
Zambia: the copper mining powerhouse looking towards a safer, low-carbon future
25/07/2022
BGS scientists Clive Mitchell (industrial minerals geologist) and Elliott Hamilton (environmental chemist) report on their recent visit to the Copperbelt Province in Zambia.
Training in stable isotope analysis as a PhD student from Croatia
20/07/2022
Recently, Ivona Ivkić Filipović visited BGS to undertake a placement at the Stable Isotope Facility. Here, she tells us a little about her experience and how it will contribute to her PhD research.
Increased risk to the public from rockfalls as a result of the forecasted heatwave
15/07/2022
Take notice of warning signs and avoid going directly under or on top of cliffs, no matter how tempting it might be.
BGS receives silver LEAF accreditation for sustainable practices
12/07/2022
The accreditation is a standard awarded to laboratories that can demonstrate practical steps towards improved efficiency and sustainability.
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.