Click on the links below for further information about the available datasets.
- Technical reports
- 1:50000 series geological maps
- National grid maps (1:10000)
- Site investigation reports
- Onshore borehole records
- Geological memoirs
- Superficial deposits 1:625000 scale
- Bedrock 1:625000 scale
These reports are a sub set of the BGS Report Series . They describe the local geology and are designed to be read in conjunction with their complementary map or maps. Additional information such as Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, Geological Hazards, Economic Minerals and Made and Worked Ground or other specialist topics of local interest may be included.
1:50000 series geological maps
This shows where there are 1:50000 series geological maps. To order maps, take note of the map name and order number and contact the BGS sales team.
Also, you may find out where we have digital maps for sale.
These maps show the occurrence, nature and stratigraphic age of rocks. They are available for most areas of the United Kingdom, and in a number of versions (Solid, Drift, or Solid and Drift combined). Maps are normally available in both flat and folded format. The map grids are based on the now discontinued Ordnance Survey Old Series One-inch Sheet Grids. The 1:50 000 series also includes reprinted maps that were originally published at the 1:63 360 scale.
For Scotland, maps are usually divided into eastern and western parts, for example sheets S038E and S038W, although earlier full sheets, showing different versions of the geology (see above), may still be available.
National grid maps (1:10,000 and 1:10,560 scale) - Since the 1960s the standard large scale map for recording geological information has been the Ordnance Survey (OS) quarter sheet, covering a 5km by 5km area. The maps are supplied in different formats depending on their age and the method of compliation or reproduction used. Only the latest and most up-to-date version is listed.
17000 reports covering England and Wales only, but Scottish data soon to arrive. Additional laboratory and test data may be available in these reports, subject to any copyright and confidentiality conditions. The area covered by a report is based on an un-refined rectangle and therefore may not be applicable to all parts of a specific site. Boreholes in these reports will be individually sited and their records databased within the borehole records collection, described in the section above.
Records of boreholes, shafts and wells from all forms of drilling and site investigation work. Some 850,000 records dating back over 200 years and ranging from one to several thousand metres deep. Currently some 50,000 new records are being added to the collection each year. These will be included in GeoIndex each time it is updated.
A small percentage of the borehole records are held 'commercial-in-confidence' for various reasons, and cannot be released without the written permission of the originator. NGRC staff will release the data where this is possible or provide you with the information needed to contact the originator.
Please note that zero values for depth signify that the depth has not been databased or has not been made available.
There is a standard charge of £13 + VAT per borehole record.
This shows areas covered by explanatory sheet Memoirs. They provide a comprehensive and detailed account of all aspects of the geology of the areas covered by the 1:50,000 (and 1:63,360) map series. Some memoirs may cover more than one geological sheet area and a few cover key geological themes (eg Jurassic rocks) across a large region. Sheet Descriptions are fully colour-illustrated, shortened accounts of the geology that are available for some of the newer published geological sheets.
Superficial deposits 1:625 000 scale
The 'Superficial deposits' shown on the GeoIndex map includes the youngest geological deposits laid down in England and Wales, Scotland and part of Northern Ireland. This map is based on the first edition Drift 1:625 000 scale Geological Map of the United Kingdom published in 1977 as two sheets, North and South, available from the BGS Internet Shop.
The Superficial deposits, mainly formed in the Quaternary period of geological time, which extends from the present back to 2 million years ago. Many of the deposits were formed during episodes of glaciation ,or deposited by rivers. They occur as discontinuous patches and larger spreads and rest on top of the older rocks (referred to in the Bedrock).
Most of these Superficial deposits are unconsolidated sediments such as gravel, sand, silt and clay. The name of each deposit or group of deposits corresponds to that shown on the published 1: 625,000 map e.g. River Terrace Deposits.
CAUTION
The source geological maps originally used to compile the published 1:625 000 maps are 1:50 000 and 1:63 360 (one inch to one mile) scale maps published before 1977. Many of these have since been up-dated and may therefore not now agree with the 1:625000 geology shown here.
Because of the generalisation and simplification used in the compilation of this map, it should not be used to determine the detailed geology of any specific sites. It is best used to provide a basic understanding of the geology of the country in general, and for showing the geology of large regions where broad trends are more important than specific details.
Persons interested in the detailed geology of particular sites should consult the latest large scale maps or the British Geological Survey at:-
British Geological Survey,
Kingsley Dunham Centre,
Keyworth,
Nottingham NG12 5GG.
Tel: +44 (0)115 936 3143
Fax: +44 (0)115 936 3276
The 'Bedrock' shown on the GeoIndex map comprises the bedrock geology, which represents the outcrops (at surface) and subcrops (at near-surface, beneath superficial deposits) in England and Wales, Scotland and part of Northern Ireland. It is based on the third edition Solid 1:625,000 scale Geological Map of the United Kingdom published in 1979 as two sheets, North and South. These sheets are available from the BGS Internet Shop. For each rock unit there is a brief generalised description showing the name, age and rock type under the following headings:
Geology: The name of the geological rock unit(s) as shown on the published map e.g. London Clay. The names of the rock units given here are often composites or generalisations, appropriate for the large areas of geological coverage at this scale. These units may include a number of different formations whose distribution can only be portrayed on more detailed geological maps.
Era: The age of the rock unit in terms of Eras, large units of geological time e.g. Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, Cainozoic.
Period: The age of the rock unit in terms of Periods, smaller units of geological time e.g. Carboniferous, Jurassic etc. The rocks range in age from those deposited relatively recently, some 2 million years ago, back to ancient and highly altered 'Precambrian' rocks over 2500 million years old. In broad terms the youngest rocks are found in the south and east of the UK, the oldest in the north and west.
Rock-type: The broadest category of rock unit i.e. Sedimentary, Igneous Intrusive, Igneous Extrusive or Metamorphic. Many rocks of sedimentary origin, are laid down in layers or strata. Igneous rocks derived from molten magma in the Earth's crust are divided into those extruded on to the surface by volcanic activity, such as lavas , and those intruded into rocks at depth such as granite. Metamorphic rocks are those which have been recrystallised at high temperature and/or pressure at various depths in the Earth's crust.
CAUTION
The source geological maps originally used to compile the published 1:625 000 maps are 1:50 000 and 1:63 360 (one inch to one mile) scale maps published before 1979. Many of these have since been up-dated and may therefore not now agree with the 1:625000 geology shown here.
Because of the generalisation and simplification used in the compilation of this map, it should not be used to determine the detailed geology of any specific sites. It is best used to provide a basic understanding of the geology of the country in general, and for showing the geology of large regions where broad trends are more important than specific details.
Persons interested in the detailed geology of particular sites should consult the latest large scale maps or the British Geological Survey at:-
British Geological Survey,Kingsley Dunham Centre,
Keyworth,
Nottingham NG12 5GG.
Tel: +44 (0)115 936 3143
Fax: +44 (0)115 936 3276
