Key information
Scale:
1:10 000 – 1:50 000Coverage:
RegionalAvailability:
FreeFormat:
Free to view via online map viewerUses:
Regional-level useGet data
Free access
The maps are free to view online via the BGS Offshore GeoIndex
Offshore GeoIndexSupporting documents
User guides are available via the links in the map series in the table further down the page below.
BGS has initiated a new programme of mapping the seabed geology of the UK’s continental shelf, the first effort to consistently characterise the geology of the seabed in over 20 years. These new, fine-scale maps provide detailed and accurate characterisation of the seabed geology, integrating substrate geology, structural geology and seabed geomorphology.

Dark blue area shows the coverage of the BGS Seabed Geology 10K: offshore Yorkshire map. Background image from World Ocean Base dataset compiled by Esri, Garmin, GEBCO, NOAA NGDC, and other contributors. Basemap created using ArcGIS. Copyright © Esri. All rights reserved. www.esri.com

Dark blue area shows the coverage of the BGS Seabed Geology 10K: East Anglia. Background image from World Ocean Base dataset compiled by Esri, Garmin, GEBCO, NOAA NGDC, and other contributors. Basemap created using ArcGIS. Copyright © Esri. All rights reserved. www.esri.com
The digital maps are intended as resources to support a diverse range of offshore activities and applications, including scientific research, offshore development, conservation initiatives and marine spatial planning and management.
The new mapping is based primarily on high-resolution bathymetry data produced by the UK Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP). Analysis and interpretation are further informed by secondary data and information resources, including:
- acoustic backscatter
- physical samples (for example grabs, cores and boreholes)
- seismic data
- academic and publicly accessible industry data and literature
- previous BGS mapping (onshore and offshore)
The CHP is administered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), with technical oversight, data validation and onward charting undertaken by the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

BGS Seabed Geology 10K: Anglesey map, showing geomorphology layers (lines and points), structural geology, substrate geology and hillshade. Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2020. The underlying hillshade image is derived from bathymetric data acquired by the MCA © Crown Copyright 2022, released under OGL.

Section of the BGS Seabed Geology 10K: Anglesey map, showing geomorphology layers (lines and points), structural geology and substrate geology. Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2020.

Section of the BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Anglesey map, showing geomorphology layers (lines and points) and hillshade. Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2020. The underlying hillshade image is derived from bathymetric data acquired by the MCA © Crown Copyright 2022, released under OGL.

Section of the BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Anglesey map, showing bathymetry data (depth and hillshade). Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2020. The underlying hillshade image is derived from bathymetric data acquired by the MCA © Crown Copyright 2022, released under OGL.

Section of the BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Anglesey map, showing geomorphology layers (lines and points), structural geology, substrate geology and hillshade. Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2020. The underlying hillshade image is derived from bathymetric data acquired by the MCA © Crown Copyright 2022, released under OGL.
Product summary
The new fine-scale BGS Seabed Geology mapping comprise three complimentary components (or layers):
- substrate geology: distribution of bedrock and superficial geological units interpreted to be dominant within the top 1 m below seabed
- structural geology: principal structural features such as faults and folds observed at rockhead
- seabed geomorphology: physical morphology and interpreted geomorphic character of the seabed
Further detail on the mapping process and dataset characteristics are described within individual dataset user guides.

Available fine-scale maps
The BGS Seabed Geology maps can be viewed under the BGS fine-scale maps drop-down menu within the Offshore Geoindex.
* Bedrock and structural geology only. The Dorset map was produced under the auspices of the Marine Environmental Mapping Programme (MAREMAP), in collaboration between BGS and the University of Southampton.
Relative topics
Related news

Dr Angela Lamb appointed as honorary professor by the University of Nottingham
02/10/2025
Dr Lamb will take up the position of honorary professor of environmental geochemistry, with a focus on collaborative research.

New report sets pathway to reduce the impacts of geohazards in one of the world’s most hazard-prone nations
30/09/2025
A new White Paper, co-developed by Indonesian and UK hazard experts, presents a strategic roadmap to significantly reduce the impacts of geological hazards in Indonesia.

Artificial intelligence helps scientists identify 3000 moving slopes potentially at risk of landslide
25/09/2025
A new approach that combines AI and satellite data has been used by scientists to detect actively moving landslides at a national scale.

New BGS GeoIndex viewer released for user testing
24/09/2025
The premium map-viewing application has been given a major upgrade and made available as a beta release.

UK scientists in awe-rora as national coverage of magnetic field complete for the first time
23/09/2025
New sensors being installed across the UK are helping us understand the effects that extreme magnetic storms have on technology and national infrastructure.

Funding awarded for study on hydrogen storage potential in North Yorkshire
22/09/2025
A new study has been awarded funding to explore the potential for underground hydrogen storage near the Knapton power plant.

Esthwaite Water: applying novel approaches to understand lake-water nutrient pollution
19/09/2025
Andi Smith (BGS) and Savannah Worne (Loughborough University) embarked on fieldwork in the Lake District, applying a novel stable isotope method for tracing phosphorus sources.

Opening up the geosciences: making work experience more accessible
19/09/2025
BGS has been working with partners to make the geosciences more accessible to young people, including those from under-represented backgrounds.

BGS-led paper scoops prestigious award
16/09/2025
New research providing earlier warnings of landslides has been awarded the British Geotechnical Association medal.

Why do we store geological core?
11/09/2025
With space at a premium and the advance of new digitisation techniques, why does retaining over 600 km of physical specimens remain of national importance?

PhD adventures in the Philippines: coring around Lake Bulusan
05/09/2025
Chris Bengt recounts his two-week field trip to Bulusan Volcano Natural Park in the Philippines to collect lake sediment cores, fresh soil and water samples.

New seabed sediment maps reveal what lies beneath the waves
03/09/2025
Marine ecosystem science and offshore infrastructure will be boosted by a new dataset showing sediment composition across the UK continental shelf.
You may also be interested in:

Sea floor: marine geoscience
Providing independent and expert geological advice, research and data acquisition to anyone working in the marine environment.