BGS launches new Geology Viewer
A new app providing easy access to the subsurface of Britain has been released by BGS.
30/06/2022 By BGS Press
The BGS Geology Viewer has been designed to provide geology enthusiasts and the general public with bedrock and superficial geology maps of Great Britain. Anyone with a browser-enabled device — including mobiles, tablets and laptops — can use the free application.
The GPS-enabled viewer allows users to zoom to their location and tap the 3D map for information on each geology layer and how it was formed. The dynamic map legend updates to display only the visible rock formations and users can access further information with links to additional records in the BGS Lexicon. The viewer is also customisable, with a range of different base maps to choose from.
The application has been designed as a streamlined successor to some of BGS’s existing viewers. The mobile-first design is intended to make the new viewer available to a much wider range of users across different devices.
It will not be found in the Apple or Google App stores; instead, users can access the viewer through the BGS website.
Mobile users can also choose to add the app to their home screen and launch it like a native app. Initially launched in beta, further development is planned over the coming years to provide exciting new functionality to meet the evolving needs of our data users.
Following the launch, two older BGS applications, iGeology and the Geology of Britain Viewer, will be retired on 1 August.
For professional users who need to access BGS data as part of their business requirements, BGS GeoIndex is also available, containing borehole records and a comprehensive BGS data catalogue.
For further information, including frequently asked questions, troubleshooting and where to send feedback, please visit the BGS Geology Viewer application page.
Relative topics
Related news

Why do we store geological core?
11/09/2025
With space at a premium and the advance of new digitisation techniques, why does retaining over 600 km of physical specimens remain of national importance?

New seabed sediment maps reveal what lies beneath the waves
03/09/2025
Marine ecosystem science and offshore infrastructure will be boosted by a new dataset showing sediment composition across the UK continental shelf.

New geological ‘pathways’ discovered beneath Welsh capital
02/09/2025
Scientists have discovered cavities in the clay underneath Cardiff, which will influence the siting of future geothermal developments.

BGS artificial ground data: what do you need from a geological survey?
28/08/2025
BGS is seeking user feedback on artificial ground data: how you use it, what information you consider, and what we can do to improve our offering.

New research published on brownfield land
27/08/2025
National Brownfield Forum research on the interactions of policies affecting the planning and development of brownfield land has been published.

Join our consortium – de-risking underground thermal energy storage
25/08/2025
BGS is inviting interested parties to investigate how site-scale geological data can be used to optimise thermal storage scheme performance.

Dr Kathryn Goodenough appointed as honorary professor by the University of Aberdeen
25/08/2025
Dr Goodenough will take up the position within the School of Geosciences with a focus on critical minerals and the energy transition.

BGS scientists work with United Nations to update hazard profiles
21/08/2025
From tsunamis to sinkholes, the profiles provide a standardised, internationally agreed definition of hazards to support disaster risk management worldwide.

Scientists uncover secrets of Stonehenge’s mysterious cattle
20/08/2025
Cutting-edge analysis of a Neolithic cow tooth dating back to the construction of the famous landmark provides evidence of Welsh origins.

New study reveals geological facility’s value to UK economy
19/08/2025
For the first time, an economic valuation report has brought into focus the scale of the National Geological Repository’s impact on major infrastructure projects.

Is your region susceptible? Britain’s geohazard hotspots revealed
14/08/2025
From sinkholes to radon: new maps highlight the most geologically at-risk regions

New platform highlights geothermal potential across the UK
11/08/2025
A new government-funded geothermal initiative, which includes an interactive map, has launched to help decision makers assess the geothermal potential across the UK.