Research

Erta' Ale - Pahoehoe. Texture in 1973 lava, Ethiopia.

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

Environmental change

Environmental change, adaptation and resilience

We are undertaking research aimed at reducing vulnerability, protecting resources and building resilience in response to substantial environmental changes.

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Ince Marshes © Peter Corcoran

Decarbonisation and resource management

Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience.

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Photo by Marc Szeglat on Unsplash

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.

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Image from BGS Geology of Britain Map

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.

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Avon Gorge at Clifton. Looking north.

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.

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BGS Global Geoscience

International geoscience

The BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.

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Explore research projects

Browse by challenge, interest, region and keywords

A view across the Marram and Sea-lyme sand dunes at Formby Point towards the shore line where the sea laps gently on the yellow sandy beach. Photograph © National Trust
Geology

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.

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BGS 3D Modelling

3D geology resources

3D geological models characterise the structure of the rocks and sediments in the subsurface, providing sophisticated tools for enhanced geological understanding.

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Built environment

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.

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ESA satellite
Hazards

Geodesy and Earth Observation

We develop and use innovative Earth observation (EO) techniques to characterise and monitor Earth processes that impact lives and livelihoods.

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Built environment

Product development

The properties and resources team publishes a broad range of geological data and information, including digital mapping, for all stakeholders.

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Built environment

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.

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The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Energy

GSNI

The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland is part of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and is staffed by BGS scientists.

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UKGEOS
Energy

UK Geoenergy Observatories

UK Geoenergy Observatories are facilitating a step change in our understanding of geology and our relationship with the underground environment.

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Environmental change

Medical geology — measuring geochemical hazards

Understanding and assessing geochemical hazards in the environment has been a part of the BGS portfolio of research for over 50 years.

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