The Lyell Centre. BGS © UKRI
The Lyell Centre is a collaborative venture between BGS and Heriot-Watt University comprising laboratory, office, and collaborative space designed to enable both organisations to build on their individual and combined interdisciplinary expertise in land and marine conservation, geology and geoscience. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Scottish Funding Council and Heriot-Watt, the Lyell Centre builds on interdisciplinary expertise to encourage an outstanding science culture.
The facility is home to a number of BGS’ specialist research teams, which are listed below.
Our research
Earthquakes and seismology research
We are measuring, recording and analysing ground motions from earthquakes and other seismic events across the UK and overseas.
Geomagnetism
Measuring, recording and interpreting variations in the Earth’s magnetic field including those caused by space weather
Groundwater research
Addressing issues related to the sustainability of water resources and quality, and the effects of environmental change on the water cycle, natural hazards, and human health.
Geodisposal: radioactive waste
Providing geological data and interpretations concerning the safe storage and disposal of radioactive waste.
Sea floor: marine geoscience
Providing independent and expert geological advice, research and data acquisition to anyone working in the marine environment.
UK Geoenergy Observatories
Facilitating a step change in our understanding of geology and our relationship with the underground environment.
Volcanology
Our scientists lead research projects and work in partnerships around the world to improve our understanding of volcanic processes, hazards and risks.
Critical raw materials
Addressing global concerns over the long-term availability of secure and adequate supplies of the minerals and metals needed by society.
Latest news
Isle of Arran announced as UNESCO Global Geopark
17/04/2025
The Isle of Arran has officially been named as the tenth UNESCO Global Geopark in the UK.
Exploring Scotland’s hidden energy potential with geology and geophysics: fieldwork in the Cairngorms
31/03/2025
BUFI student Innes Campbell discusses his research on Scotland’s radiothermal granites and how a fieldtrip with BGS helped further explore the subject.
New study reveals long-term effects of deep-sea mining and first signs of biological recovery
27/03/2025
BGS geologists were involved in new study revealing the long-term effects of seabed mining tracks, 44 years after deep-sea trials in the Pacific Ocean.
Seabed geology data: results from stakeholder consultation
31/01/2025
BGS collected valuable stakeholder feedback as part of a new Crown Estate-led initiative to improve understanding of national-scale seabed geology requirements.
How can Scotland re-establish its building stone industry?
14/11/2024
British Geological Survey research, commissioned by Historic Environment Scotland, reveals an opportunity to re-establish the Scottish building stone market in order to maintain the country’s historic buildings.
Warnings for Scottish farmers and distillers as new data indicates climate change may double number of droughts
23/07/2024
The agricultural and distilling sectors could face significant challenges after research finds the number of droughts in Scotland may double in the next 25 years.
New research reveals the secrets of the seabed off the East Anglian coast
11/07/2024
New geological map will help in the hunt for new renewable energy opportunities whilst protecting delicate marine ecosystems.
BGS to update geological maps of Strathmore
10/06/2024
A three-year project has begun to revise geological maps of Strathmore, which were last surveyed nearly 100 years ago.
Scientists produce first record of environmental data off coast of Hawai’i
01/03/2024
An international team of researchers, including BGS geoscientists, have succeeded in acquiring a continuous record of environmental data using fossilised coral from Hawai’i.
BGS seismologist named editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International
29/02/2024
Margarita Segou has been appointed as the editor-in-chief of one of the world’s leading, peer-reviewed research journals in solid-Earth geophysics.
Trans-Pacific Transit 2023: deep-diving ocean partnership sets sail
04/10/2023
BGS has joined a multidisciplinary research expedition to ‘explore the unexplored’ and fill in some of the biggest gaps in our knowledge of the oceans’ darkest depths.
Scientists set sail to investigate high-resolution sea level, climate and coral reef records
25/09/2023
BGS scientists are taking part in an expedition off Hawai’i to investigate sea-level changes recorded by ancient coral reefs.