Discovering Geology

Ammonite p815563

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.

The Earth has been cooling down since it formed 4.6 billion years ago. Over that time, its surface has changed constantly, driven by the movement of magma deep within the planet and aided by the processes of erosion, deposition and weathering. New oceans have appeared as tectonic plates move apart, great mountain ranges have formed as tectonic plates crash together, valleys have been created as glaciers move and the wind has carried sediment particles over great distances to form new landscapes.

Discovering Geology explores the processes that have shaped current and past landscapes and how our planet’s diverse range of rocks and minerals formed. We also investigate how rocks and fossils can be used to explain the changing climates of the past and why learning from the past is the key to understanding our sustainable future.

Throughout Discovering Geology, we link topics with the scientific research and monitoring work that we carry out at the BGS. From investigating natural earth hazards to understanding past environments, our research aims to offer geoscientific solutions for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous planet.

Start discovering geology!

Iceberg P912184

Discovering Geology: climate change

What is the difference between weather and climate? what causes the Earth’s climate to change and what are the impacts? Find out more with our Discovery Geology climate change resources.

Show more
feature_rocks_minerals

Rocks and minerals

Find out more about the differences between rocks and minerals and how they are formed.

Show more
A waterfall in Iceland

Geological processes

Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing. Find out about the processes that cause these changes.

Show more
fishThroughTime

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.

Show more
lava flow - Pexels / Pixabay

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.

Show more
Maps and resources feature image P542895

Maps and resources

Download and print free educational resources.

Show more

Classroom activities, lesson plans and other resources

Bismuth (synthetic form). © BGS / UKRI

Critical minerals resources

Our modern lives rely on a whole host of metals and minerals that are extracted from the ground. Available resources include classroom activities and a touring festival stand.

Show more
©iStock.com/sscreative

The CheMUDstry Investigation

Our CheMUDstry investigation makes use of mud pies and uses them in different activities to look at soil chemistry. Use the observation booklet to practise taking soil samples and make observations of soil samples and their environment.

Show more
Fragments of rocks found around Rutland Water, the oolitic limestone is at the top, a green-grey stripy volcanic rock is to the right, then chert (white), quartz (red), ironstone (brown) and granite (grey, white, black, pink). Source: BGS © UKRI

Rock observation resources

Activities to help budding geologists identify rocks and minerals. Available resources include grain size charts, rock loan kits, and classroom activites.

Show more
Wind farm.

Energy resources

Complete lesson plans with videos and worksheets on geothermal energy, energy storage and future energy planning.

Show more
Spiral timeline

Fossils and geological time resources

You can download, print and make a number of paper dinosaur puppets to play with or colour-in a geological timeline to hang in your bedroom or classroom.

Show more
Colour in Geology map

Maps

Explore or download a range of free-to-view, BGS maps to help you explore the rocks around you and learn more about geological time and climate change.

Show more

Climate change

Our climate is intimately connected to the evolution of life, to the erosion and formation of rocks, and even to the generation of mountains.

Thawing permafrost in Herschel Island, 2013. Source: Boris Radosavljevic.

The carbon story

The carbon cycle describes the process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere into the Earth, then released back into the atmosphere.

Show more
The greenhouse effect: some of the infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, but most is absorbed and re-emitted in all directions by greenhouse gas molecules and clouds. The effect of this is to warm the Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect

Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere act as an insulating blanket around the planet, trapping more of the Sun’s heat.

Show more
Skaftafellsjökull Glacier

What causes the Earth’s climate to change?

Geological records demonstrate that there have been a number of large variations in Earth’s climate in the past.

Show more

Earth hazards

A white, four storey building in Izmit, Turkey, leans at a dangerous angle due to an earthquake. There is a road next to it with other buildings that are not affected.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are among the most deadly natural hazards. They strike without warning and many earthquake zones coincide with areas of high population density.

Show more
Plymouth, Montserrat. Mud flow deposits at clocktower.

Volcanoes

We have a team of volcanologists that works on various research projects in locations around the world to help governments and local people to understand volcano behaviour.

Show more
Debris flow on A83

Understanding landslides

What is a landslide? Why do landslides happen? How to classify a landslide. Landslides in the UK and around the world.

Show more

Rocks and minerals

feature_rocks_minerals

Rocks and minerals

Find out more about the differences between rocks and minerals and how they are formed.

Show more

Landforms and processes

P008022_640x430

Landforms

Landforms are features on the Earth’s surface that make up the terrain.

Show more
Aerial view of the meander of the River Forth outside Stirling.

Erosion

Erosion involves the movement of rock fragments through gravity, wind, rain, rivers, oceans and glaciers.

Show more
P006979_crop

Deposition

Deposition is the laying down of sediment carried by wind, water, or ice.

Show more

Fossils and geological time

fishThroughTime

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.

Show more

Was this page helpful?

  • How can we make this section better?*

  • Please select a reason*

  • How can we make this section better?*