Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
Missing components of nitrogen cycling budgets across the United States
23/09/2022
As a BGS-hosted Lancaster University PhD student, Elizabeth Flint has been working to understand the effects of water supply processes upon macronutrient cycling.
A PhD in Peru: a country of contrasts
23/09/2022
PhD student Tom Gribbin explains his work on water security in the Peruvian ‘water towers’.
Scientific report published
22/09/2022
BGS were requested by the UK Government to address six questions related to recent scientific research on the hazard and risk from induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing of shale rocks.
Adventures in elemental mapping – part 1: analysis of minerals
21/09/2022
The BGS Inorganic Chemistry team discuss their new laser micro-sampling and analysis system and what it means for the future of our research — and possibly yours…
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: 1926 to 2022
09/09/2022
BGS Director, Dr Karen Hanghøj today paid tribute to the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Geology and cycling: the rocks behind the race
08/09/2022
The UK’s biggest and most prestigious bike race would not be what it is today, without a nod to the humble rock.
Garry Baker appointed BGS Director of Informatics
07/09/2022
Garry Baker has been appointed by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to be its new Director of Informatics.
Join the BGS board
05/09/2022
BGS are looking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to join our board.
BGS GeoScour: bridging the river erosion data gap
31/08/2022
The geological properties of bedrock and superficial deposits that make up riverbeds and banks are fundamental controls on the susceptibility of any given river reach to scouring.
Citizen science: become part of a real-time Global Landslide Detector
29/08/2022
BGS and partners are trialling a new social media tool that detects worldwide landslides in real time.
BGS joins the UK Centre for Seabed Mapping to raise data and mapping standards
25/08/2022
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is the latest UK Government organisation to join the newly unveiled UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM), helping to boost marine data and mapping standards.
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.
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.
International 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.