Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
Mining hazard data from BGS
17/05/2022
Great Britain has over 250 000 documented mining sites and the underground voids resulting from past mining activity pose a possible hazard. Knowledge of the distribution of former mining areas will help us to plan for future development and ongoing maintenance.
New publication shows geological supply of bismuth is greater than previously understood
17/05/2022
A new publication highlights the wide-ranging geological availability of bismuth, a critical raw material that has historically been overlooked in academic research.
BGS Open Day 2022
Event on 25/06/2022
Join us for a FREE day of science and discovery as we explore the fascinating world beneath our feet!
Hidden from view: a century of rising groundwater levels in India and Pakistan
22/04/2022
Groundwater storage increased in Pakistan and north-west India for most of the 20th century, a new study shows. So why is there a water crisis?
Introducing GeoCoast: new coastal datasets from BGS
20/04/2022
GeoCoast is an integrated GIS package of datasets designed to inform and support coastal management and adaptation.
Six changing coastlines and how climate change could affect them
12/04/2022
We explore how parts of the British coastline are changing and what important factors we should consider in terms of natural hazards, adaptation and resilience.
UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 available to download
11/04/2022
The UK Minerals Yearbook 2021 provides essential information about the production, consumption and trade of UK minerals up to 2020.
Sea level rise and coastal erosion: what’s the real impact?
05/04/2022
How much of an issue are coastal vulnerabilities and what do we need to consider to increase our resilience to future events?
New BGS datasets for coastal management, planning and adaptation in the face of climate change
29/03/2022
BGS GeoCoast is a package of geospatial datasets designed to provide information on the geological conditions and constraints around the coastline of Britain.
GeoCoast dataset launch event
Event on 28/04/2022
BGS invites you to discover more about our new data product to underpin coastal decision making, resilience and adaptation.
World Water Day 2022
22/03/2022
Groundwater: how BGS is helping to make the invisible visible
BGS and WaterAid publish new research on groundwater resilience
21/03/2022
Most African countries have enough groundwater reserves to face at least five years of drought, new research reveals
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.