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
Climate change and human migration out of Africa
23/06/2021
An international team of scientists have shown how climate change could have enabled the migration of Homo sapiens around 60 000 years ago.
Spaceborne data: an expanding role in disaster response
23/06/2021
Alessandro Novellino explains the importance of Earth Observation (EO) to help facilitate successful emergency responses after natural hazard occurrences.
BGS Digital data review 2021–22
18/06/2021
BGS is seeking a comprehensive understanding of the data ecosystem in which we operate, providing a detailed assessment of our current operating models and the options for our target operating model over the next 10 years.
Improving water security in the Philippines
10/06/2021
Water supplies in parts of the Philippines are frequently scarce and supplies are often shut down. Intermittent water supply in parts of the country presents serious consequences to health.
Lithium: a critical raw material for our journey to net zero
09/06/2021
Understanding the geology and natural resources of lithium will be vital as demand is forecast to significantly increase.
BGS part of successful Energy Research Accelerator to put Midlands region on the road to net-zero
08/06/2021
The consortium of internationally-recognised research institutions will bring together expertise in energy research to help the UK to meet its ambitious net zero targets
Expedition Rockall: 50 Years On
08/06/2021
Dick Merriman is a former BGS Geologist, who retired from service in 2004. In 1971 he was chosen as part of a team to land on Rockall, a small, uninhabited islet and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Today, on the 50th anniversary of the expedition, Dick recounts his experience.
Geothermal energy podcast
04/06/2021
In this episode we discuss the future of geothermal energy in the UK with Corinna Abesser, Gareth Farr and David Boon.
BGS announced as Midlothian Climate Beacon partner for COP26
03/06/2021
The National Mining Museum Scotland, in partnership with the British Geological Survey, has been selected as the Midlothian Climate Beacon for COP26.
Sustainable groundwater management underpins food security in South Asia
01/06/2021
The most intensively cultivated areas of South Asia are crucial for regional food security and have become global hotspots of groundwater exploitation.
The Great North Run
28/05/2021
The directions of true, grid and magnetic north will, for the first time, coincide at various locations in Great Britain between 2022 and 2026.
CO2 storage testbed: working with the industrial clusters
28/05/2021
Carbon capture, usage and storage will play a significant role in the UK achieving national emissions reduction targets
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.
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.