Quick links
... Home » About BGS » Our team » Patton Ashley
Ashley Patton

Ashley Patton

Engineering geologist
BGS Cardiff
Contact

Ashley is an engineering geologist working in the BGS Wales office. Her role focuses on engineering geology issues specific to Wales as well as more broadly. Prior to working at BGS, Ashley was employed as an engineering geologist for a consultancy in Hong Kong. Ashley’s research at BGS and in her PhD studies have included work on the shallow geothermal energy potential of urban groundwater, deeper geothermal exploitation of Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic basins and radiogenic granites, volcanic hazards, 3D modelling and landslide assessments. Ashley is Science Lead for Heat for the Cardiff Geo-observatory project which involves research into the subsurface Urban Heat Island effect and its application for low-enthalpy heat.

Ashley Patton’s Biography

  • 2018 to present: Part-time PhD on Interactions of thermal and hydraulic regimes in urban groundwater systems, Cardiff University
  • 2013 to present: Engineering Geologist: British Geological Survey, Cardiff
  • 2010 to 2013: Graduate Engineering Geologist: URS/Scott Wilson, Hong Kong
  • 2008 to 2009: MSc Geohazard Assessment, University of Portsmouth
  • 2005 to 2008: BSc (Hons) Geology (with Study Abroad), University of Derby

Research interests

  • Engineering geology
  • Shallow geothermal energy
  • Urban subsurface thermal and hydraulic regimes
  • Geohazards
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • 3D geological modelling

Current projects and collaborations

  • Cardiff geo-observatory – Monitoring of groundwater temperatures in Cardiff and research into shallow geothermal energy utilising the subsurface Urban Heat Island effect
  • Geothermal asset register – Compilation of data of geothermal assets in the UK
  • Geothermal studies – Investigations into geothermal potential in the UK

ORCID: 0000-0002-0581-9627

Publications

  • Patton, A M, Cleall, P J, and Cuthbert, M O. 2025. Using groundwater temperature time-series to reveal subsurface thermal and hydraulic processes, Hydrogeology Journal, 33(5), 12597–1277.
  • Bianchi, M, Scheidegger, J M, Hughes, A G, Jackson, C, Lee, J R, Lewis, M A, Mansour, M, Newell, A J, O Dochartaigh, B, Patton, A M. and Dadson, S J. 2024. Simulation of national-scale groundwater dynamics in geologically complex aquifer systems: an example from Great Britain. Hydrological Sciences Journal.
  • Boon, D P, Farr, G, Patton, A M, Abesser, C, Scheidegger, J, Barnett, M, Gregory, S, Coppell, L, Williams, L, Busby, J, Holden, A, Thorpe, S, James, D, Harcombe, G, Knowles, S, Hermes, I, Steiner, C, and Goetzl, G. 2022. Results from the GeoERA MUSE shallow geothermal project – UK Cardiff pilot area. European Geothermal Congress 2022, Berlin, Germany, 17–21 Oct 2022. In: European Geothermal Congress 2022 Proceedings. ISBN: 978-2-9601946-2-3.
  • Pharaoh, T, Jones, D, Kearsey, T, Newell, A, Abesser, C, Randles, T, Patton, A, and Kendall, R. 2021. Early Carboniferous limestones of southern and central Britain: Characterisation and preliminary assessment of deep geothermal prospectivity. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften, 172 (3), 227–249.
  • Patton, A M, Rau, G C, Cleall, P J, and Cuthbert, M O. 2021. Hydro-geomechanical characterisation of a coastal urban aquifer using multiscalar time and frequency domain groundwater-level responses. Hydrogeology Journal, 29, 2751–2771.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G, Boon, D P, James, D R, Williams, B, James, L, Kendall, R, Thorpe, S, Harcombe, G, Schofield, D I, Holden, A, and White, D. 2020. Establishing an urban geo-observatory to support sustainable development of shallow subsurface heat recovery and storage. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 53 (1), 49–61.
  • Boon, D P, Farr, G J, Abesser, C, Patton, A M, James, D R, Schofield, D I, and Tucker, D G. 2019. Groundwater heat pump feasibility in shallow urban aquifers: experience from Cardiff, UK. Science of the Total Environment, 697, 133847.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D, James, D, Holden, A, Abesser, C, Cuthbert, M, and Cleall, P. 2019. Observed controls on the seasonal variability of urban groundwater thermal regimes . Abstract and Poster Session HS8.2.3, EGU General Assembly 2019, EGU2019-3127, Vienna, Austria, 7–12 April 2019.
  • Patton, A M. 2018. Artificial Ground: Where Geologists and Archaeologists Share Territory. Abstract and Poster Session GM6.3/CL1.30/SSP2.11/SSS13.29, EGU General Assembly 2018, EGU2018-3030, Vienna, Austria, 8–13 April 2018.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D P, James, D R, and Williams, B. 2018. Lessons Learned from Establishing a City-wide Groundwater Temperature Observatory. Abstract and Poster Session GI1.3/AS5.15/BG1.30/CL5.10/EMRP4.5/ESSI1.6/HS11.12/SM5.03, EGU General Assembly 2018, EGU2018-3033, Vienna, Austria, 8–13 April 2018.
  • Farr, G J, Patton, A M, Boon, D P, James, D R, Williams, B, and Schofield, D I. 2017. Mapping shallow urban groundwater temperatures, a case study from Cardiff, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 50(2).
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D P, and James, D R. 2017. Characterisation of Seasonal Temperature Variation in a Shallow, Urban Aquifer: Implications for the Sustainable Development of Ground Source Heating Systems. Abstract and Poster Session HS8.2.3/ERE6.7, EGU General Assembly 2017, EGU2017-4631, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 April 2017.
  • Patton, A M. 2016. A Review of Attitudes towards Sharing Geotechnical Data and the use of Geospatial Data Portals in Hong Kong and the UK: Lessons for Europe. Abstract and Poster Session ESSI2.7, EGU General Assembly 2016, EGU2016-2503, Vienna, Austria, 17–22 April 2016.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D P, James, D R, Williams, B, Tucker, D, and Harcombe, G. 2016. Monitoring Groundwater Temperatures in a Shallow Urban Aquifer Before, During and After Installation of a Ground Source Heat System in Cardiff, U.K. Abstract and Poster Session ERE3.2, EGU General Assembly 2016, EGU2016-2497, Vienna, Austria, 17–22 April 2016.
  • Boon, D, Farr, G, Patton, A, Kendall, R, James, L, Abesser, C, Busby, J, Schofield, D, White, D, Gooddy, D, James, D, Williams, B, Tucker, D, Knowles, S, and Harcombe, G. 2016. The Contribution of Geology and Groundwater Studies to City-scale Ground Heat Network Strategies: A Case Study from Cardiff, UK. Abstract and Poster Session ERE3.2, EGU General Assembly 2016, EGU2016-4983, Vienna, Austria, 17–22 April 2016.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D P, James, D R, Williams, B, Tucker, D, Harcombe, G, and Newell, A J. 2015. Sustainable Exploitation of Elevated Groundwater Temperatures in a Shallow Urban Aquifer for Ground Source Heating. Abstract and Poster Session Sustainable Exploitation of the Subsurface, Geological Society of London, London, UK, 20–21 May 2015.
  • Patton, A M, Farr, G J, Boon, D P, James, D R, Williams, B, and Newell, A J. 2015. Shallow Groundwater Temperatures and the Urban Heat Island Effect: the First U.K. City-wide Geothermal Map to Support Development of Ground Source Heating Systems Strategy. Abstract and Poster Session ERE3.5, EGU General Assembly 2015, EGU2015-348, Vienna, Austria, 12–17 April 2015.
  • Boon, D P, and Patton, A M. 2014. The Stakeholder-led Approach to Setting Future Urban Geoscience Research Priorities: Experience from Wales, UK. Conference Abstract & Oral, Geological Society of America 2014, Vancouver, Canada, 19–22 October 2014.

Published outputs
NERC Open Research Archive — Ashley Merry-Eve Patton

Google Scholar profile

Skills

  • Groundwater temperature monitoring and mapping
  • Engineering geological and geomorphological mapping
  • GIS
  • Site investigation
  • Geoscience communication
  • Debris mobility and rockfall modelling
  • Rock slope mapping
  • Natural terrain hazard mapping
  • Landslide susceptibility assessment
  • Aerial photograph interpretation
  • Welsh – WJEC Intermediate Certificate in Welsh Second Language: The Use of Welsh (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B1)
  • First Aid at Work and Outdoor First Aid and Fracture Management

Software

  • ArcGIS
  • GOCAD
  • GeoVisionary
  • DIPs
  • SLOPE/W
  • RocFall
  • Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program (CRSP)
  • DAN/W
  • Surfer
  • T-TECTO
  • Microsoft Office

Certificates

  • 2013 to 2015 : WJEC Entry Certificate in Welsh Second Language: The Use of Welsh (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A1)
  • 2015 to 2017 : WJEC Foundation Certificate in Welsh Second Language: The Use of Welsh (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A2)
  • 2017 to 2019 : WJEC Intermediate Certificate in Welsh Second Language: The Use of Welsh (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B1)

Awards

  • Early Career Geologist Award – Geological Society of London South Wales Regional Group Final 2015
  • Keynetix joint project award 2018

Professional associations

  • 2012 to present: Fellow of the Geological Society of London
  • 2015 to present: Member of the European Geosciences Union

 

Was this page helpful?

  • How can we make this section better?*

  • Please select a reason*

  • How can we make this section better?*