Shallow geophysics

BGS Research

BGS Geophysical Tomography (GTom) provides leading-edge technology for non-invasive, geoelectrical imaging of the shallow subsurface.

The techniques (instrumentation, software and methodologies) developed by GTom are used to underpin studies in infrastructure monitoring, waste management, contaminated land remediation and the protection of groundwater and soils, as well as the detection and mitigation of natural hazards. Our PRIME technology permits complex earth systems and processes to be monitored remotely using permanent, in situ sensor networks and wireless telemetry.

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BGS Geophysical Tomography: an introduction.

Find out more about our work

Capacitive Resistivity Imaging (CRI) MkII prototype.

Technologies

Creating innovative technologies with in the field of geophysical and geotechnical monitoring.

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Data collection in a quarry.

Applications

Applications range from mineral exploration and waste management, to monitoring active processes within the subsurface, such as the movement of pollutants, or the flow of groundwater in unstable slopes affecting infrastructure.

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Geographical tomography theory equation

Theory

The team are actively researching and developing new modelling and data analysis methods in geophysical tomography.

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PhD students and graduates

John Ball
‘Use of geophysics for the monitoring of earthen water retaining structures’

Jimmy Boyd
‘Coupled hydrogeophysical and geomechanical modelling of slope stability for improve early warning of landslides’
LinkedIn

Jessica Holmes
‘The use of near-surface geophysical methods for assessing the condition of transport infrastructure’

Alex Priestley
‘Assimilation of geophysical data in snow hydrology modelling

Luke Sibbett
‘Early warning landslide events using computer vision and geophysical image analysis’

Adrian White
‘Seeing inside flood embankments – novel geophysical imaging approaches for assessing the health of safety-critical flood defence infrastructure’
Twitter
LinkedIn

Jim Whiteley
‘Geophysical indicators of slope stability: towards improved early warning of landslide hazards’

Mihai Cimpoiasu
‘Combining geoelectrical imaging and X-ray computed tomography (CT) for improved hydraulic characterization of soils’
LinkedIn

Paul McLachlan
‘Revealing hydrological and biogeochemical heterogeneity at the groundwater-surface water interface using geophysics’
ResearchGate
LinkedIn

Michael Tso
‘Enhancing information content in geophysical data for nuclear site characterisation’
ResearchGate

Current research

Map of the Carboniferous limestone formation with deep geothermal potential.
BGS news

Scientists discover regions of the UK with greatest potential to use heat from deep thermal waters

30/03/2023

BGS geologists have mapped the UK’s potential to use heat from thermal groundwater deep beneath central and southern Britain.

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Three white women standing in front of a grey slate wall. Nicola on the left is wearing a black top with white flowers; she has long brown hair and glasses. Leah in the middle has long dark hair and is wearing an orange floral top. Angela on the right has bobbed blonde hair and is wearing glasses and a black jumper.
BGS news

BGS laboratories become first in UKRI to receive gold LEAF accreditation

28/03/2023

BGS achieved gold certification in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation in March 2023.

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Cordoned off section of road after the storm surge of 15th December 2013 in Hembsy, Norfolk. © P Witney BGS BGS, UKRI
BGS blogs

Hemsby coastal erosion: the scale of the transformational challenge around the coastlines of England and Wales

24/03/2023

The recent closure of Hemsby beach in Norfolk provides key information on the transformational challenge of coasts around England and evidence of historical change along the coastlines of England and Wales.

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You may also be interested in

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BGS PRIME: an early warning system for slope failure

Dam and slope failures can lead to the wide-scale destruction of property and, in some cases, catastrophic loss of life.

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Close up of PRIME hardware.

PRIME

PRIME is a low-cost system specifically designed to monitor through remote operation for deployment on ‘at risk’ geotechnical assets (e.g. embankments; cuttings; dams).

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Geotechnical research and design facility

Engineering and Geotechnical Capability

The BGS Engineering and Geotechnical Capability leads the development and application of field and laboratory infrastructure and long-term management of geophysical and geotechnical property data.

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Debris pathway downslope, partly netted. Debris on the railway line has been cleared and the line is in the process of being repaired.

Landslides

The BGS landslides team is involved in many aspects of landslide research, with the primary objective of building resilience both in the UK and internationally.

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