Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Our core challenge areas
Latest news and events
Mine Water Heating and Cooling: A 21st Century Resource for Decarbonisation
Event on 10/03/2021
BGS welcomes Patrick Gray , Head of Digital Products, Ideation and Enterprise
11/01/2021
Patrick comes with a wealth of data, product and partnership management experience across a variety of commercial markets.
BGS joins international research into robotic revolution
08/01/2021
International research illustrates the opportunities and challenges that robots and autonomous systems, could bring for urban biodiversity and ecosystems in the future.
Dr Alison Monaghan awarded MBE
30/12/2020
Dr Alison Monaghan, has been recognised in the 2021 Queen’s New Year Honours List, for her outstanding contribution to geology.
A new BGS platform to model volcanic ash in the atmosphere
16/12/2020
BGS has supported the creation of a new modelling platform to aid research workflows around ash dispersion simulation.
Evidence week 2020
14/12/2020
The UK Geoenergy Observatories team took part in Evidence Week 2020 to talk to parliamentarians about the essential role of geoenergy in the energy mix to meet net zero.
UK’s new underground observatory open for research
07/12/2020
The UK Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow, which will give scientists an unprecedented look at the subsurface, holds its virtual opening.
Real-time monitoring of faecally contaminated drinking water
04/12/2020
Tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) represents an approach to instantaneously assess microbial risks in drinking water. Particularly suited to high-level screening, the technique could be used to identify high-risk sites, prioritise treatment or other interventions and potentially reduce the consumption of faecally contaminated drinking water.
New maps reveal heat stored in Britain’s abandoned coal mines
01/12/2020
The British Geological Survey (BGS) and Coal Authority have released maps which for the first time, reveal the extent to which heat is stored in Britain’s abandoned coal mines.
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.
Multihazards 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 (NGDC) 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.
Geological processes
Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing.
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, policy-makers 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.