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

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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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

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

Postgraduate students from the University for Development Studies, Ghana, learning about instrumentation and hydrology. BGS © UKRI.

TerraFIRMA

TerraFIRMA is a five-year, NERC-funded, Multi-Centre National Capability (MCNC) UKRI award running from April 2022 to March 2027

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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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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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Hydrogeology

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.

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Hydrogeology

Africa Groundwater Atlas

The Africa Groundwater Atlas is an online resource providing an introduction to the groundwater resources of 51 African countries, and a gateway to further information.

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Fforest Fawr
Climate change

Geoparks

UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas with internationally important rocks and landscapes, all of which are managed responsibly.

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ESA satellite
Hazards

Geodesy and Earth observation

Developing and using innovative Earth observation techniques to characterise and monitor Earth processes that affect lives and livelihoods.

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BGS White Ribbon boat on the Firth of Forth
Marine geoscience

Sea floor: marine geoscience

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

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Seafloor drilling rig
Marine geoscience

Sea floor: scientific ocean drilling

Implementing several high profile expeditions for the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD).

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