Research
Our research includes core geological survey and monitoring work and other innovative projects addressing today’s geoscientific challenges driven by the changing needs of our stakeholders.
Our research
Decarbonisation and resource management
Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience.
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.
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.
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.
International geoscience
BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.
Our research facilities
Marine operations
BGS’s highly experienced marine operations team have undertaken both scientific and commercial offshore projects around the globe.
Rock Volume Characterisation Laboratory Cluster
Studying the structural and compositional characterisation of rocks and their constituent parts at all scales.
Centre for Environmental Geochemistry
Focusing on the use of geochemistry in research, training and teaching.
Engineering and Geotechnical Capability
Leading the development and application of field and laboratory infrastructure and long-term management of geophysical and geotechnical property data.
Fluid and Rock Processes Laboratory Cluster
Identifying, measuring and quantifying complex geological and environmental processes essential in the efficient utilisation of natural resources and underground spaces.
Explore research projects
Browse by challenge, interest, region and keywords
The impacts of rising groundwater at the coast
Our current activities build on the BGS’s extensive research experience in this region, contributing to welfare and future economic growth by the responsible use of natural resources.
Glasgow and the Clyde Basin — Clyde Urban Super Project (CUSP)
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is built along the upper Clyde estuary and lower River Clyde. Areas of central Glasgow form the national urban regeneration priority for Scotland over the next 25 years.
Geodesy and Earth observation
Developing and using innovative Earth observation techniques to characterise and monitor Earth processes that affect lives and livelihoods.
Product development
Producing a broad range of geological data and information, including digital mapping, for all stakeholders.
Project Iceberg
Project Iceberg aims to address the serious issue of the lack of information about the ground beneath our cities and the un-coordinated way in which the subsurface space is managed.
UK Geoenergy Observatories
Facilitating a step change in our understanding of geology and our relationship with the underground environment.
Hazard and resilience modelling
Developing new and innovative data products that deliver geoscientific information to a range of users in an accessible form.
Coasts and estuaries geohazards
Providing independent and expert geoscientific tools and advice to assess different adaptation options to coastal flooding and erosion.