Celebrating 20 years of virtual reality innovation at BGS

Twenty years ago, BGS took a bold step into the world of virtual reality (VR), pioneering 3D visualisation in geological surveying. From its first immersive 3D room in 2005 to its global influence today, the journey of VR at BGS has been one of constant innovation, exploration and impact.

The early days: a new perspective on geology

BGS has been working to improve understanding of the potential for CO₂ storage as part of its International Geoscience Research and Development programme. During early 2005, Virtalis Ltd. installed BGS’s first 3D visualisation facility at our headquarters in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, featuring a state-of-the-art Christie S-4K projector and nVidia Quadro graphics. A cutting-edge Intersense motion tracking system brought geological models to life, offering an immersive way to explore complex 3D data.

Initially, these rooms served as a platform to showcase geological model outputs from the BGS  GeoScience Spatial Model (DGSM) programme. However, their potential quickly expanded beyond presentations, opening the door to practical applications in 3D modelling and landscape visualisation. BGS commissioned Virtalis to develop immersive VR experiences for GOCAD models and digital terrain models, overlaying geological maps, aerial photographs and satellite images to enrich understanding of geological formations.

A showcase for science

The technology quickly became a key feature of BGS, attracting a diverse range of visitors. These included school groups, MPs, top government scientific advisors, VIPs and even royalty — including the Princess Royal — who were all invited to witness BGS’s cutting-edge capabilities firsthand. These demonstrations proved to be a powerful tool for communicating the importance of geological research.

Expanding the horizon: virtual field reconnaissance

By 2006, the vision for BGS VR had grown. The next challenge was making VR an interactive, integral part of geological surveying. A cross-disciplinary project was launched, bringing together the land survey, remote sensing and data and digital systems teams to develop virtual field reconnaissance (VFR). The aim was ambitious: integrate field data collection with VR landscapes, enabling geologists to conduct initial assessments remotely before heading into the field. This initiative aligned perfectly with BGS’s acquisition of high-resolution aerial orthophotos and a 5m digital terrain model (DTM) and digital surface model (DSM) from Intermap Technologies.

To handle the vast datasets seamlessly, Virtalis was commissioned once again, this time to build a prototype virtual landscape visualisation system. The result was a game-changing enhancement to geological fieldwork, increasing efficiency and accuracy and giving us the ability to plan research in a way never before possible.

Evolution and global expansion

In 2010, the original immersive 3D visualisation facility (i3DVF) needed a new home due to building works. BGS created a cutting-edge VR hub, complete with an upgraded projector, screen and computing power. Six years later, in 2016, the facility saw another major upgrade: the world’s first 4K projection system in a geological survey organisation. The enhanced resolution, combined with new, highly detailed 2 m DTM and DSM data from the Pan-Governmental Data Agreement, took geological visualisation to an unprecedented level.

What began as a pioneering project within BGS has since spread across the world. The integration of GeoVisionary and i3DVF technology has inspired geological surveys, mining companies, universities, and environmental organisations globally. From Alaska to South Africa, Malaysia to Brazil, BGS’s VR expertise continues to revolutionise how geologists explore and understand our planet.

Looking ahead

As we celebrate 20 years of VR at BGS, we also look to the future. With advancements in artificial intelligence, real-time data processing and even more immersive visualisation technologies, the possibilities for geological VR are boundless. One thing is certain: BGS will remain at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of innovation and transforming how we see the Earth.

Here’s to the next 20 years of discovery!

Further reading

• BGS 3D Visualisation Systems
• Why 3D? The need for solution-based modelling in a national geoscience organisation
• Digital geoscience spatial model project final report