BGS News Releases

Ripon 'Auction Mart' Development

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Since 1982, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has been instrumental in making the council, residents and central government aware of the ground stability problems that affect parts of Ripon.

The BGS are aware that the Auction Mart site, North Road, Ripon, is the subject of a planning application. Last year (21 November 2011) the BGS were offered copies of the site investigation information and are on record in the reply as having stated that:

'This part of Ripon is particularly problematical and very difficult to investigate and interpret, it may be a challenge to develop and some of the site may be too dangerous to build on.'

BGS Seismic Alert : Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland 26 January 2012 01:04 UTC 2.2

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:01:09 GMT

Depth 5.6 km; Lat/Long 55.172° North ,7.556° West; Felt Buncrana and surrounding villages

Geomagnetic Storm Warning | 23 Jan 2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Following recent observations of solar activity there is an increased risk of a geomagnetic storm from 24-JAN-2012 to 25-JAN-2012.

An energetic M-class solar flare erupted on the Sun earlier today. This was associated with a coronal mass ejections (CME) that is expected to arrive at Earth tomorrow.

There is an increased chance of viewing the aurora during local night time hours assuming dark and clear skies, though this is dependent on the configuration of the interplanetary magnetic field embedded in the solar wind.

For updates and further information go to BGS Geomagnetism or for tips on Viewing the Northern Lights in the UK

Darwin's 'lost' fossils found

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

A treasure trove of fossils including plant specimens collected by Charles Darwin, have been rediscovered. The fossils, which have been lost for 165 years, were unearthed in an old cabinet at the British Geological Survey's vast fossil collection. They have now been registered and photographed and are available for viewing by the public through a new online museum exhibit released today: www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/archives/jdhooker/

Dr Howard Falcon-Lang, a palaeontologist at Royal Holloway, University of London, made the discovery. He recalled, 'While searching a cabinet for fossils from the Bristol Coalfield, I spotted some drawers marked unregistered fossil plants . I can't resist a mystery, so I pulled one open. What I found inside made my jaw drop.'

Download the full Press Release

Sonic event NORTHUMBERLAND/TYNE and WEAR 12 January 2012 15:13 UTC

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:01:13 GMT

The BGS has received information from the Media, the Police and several residents in towns and villages in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, who reported that they felt an event sometime around 15:15 UTC today. Reports described 'the front door shook and the letterbox flapped', 'felt a very heavy rumble as if a heavy lorry had passed' and 'vibration lasted for around 5 seconds with a rumbling noise'.

Data from the BGS seismic networks in the region were examined and signals consistent with a possible sonic origin were recorded at around 15:13/15:14 UTC on several stations. The observations received are similar to those which have been received previously for sonic boom. RAF Kinloss were contacted and have advised that there were two military jets on exercise in the area at the time.

BGS Seismic Alert : Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire 11 January 2012 12:00 UTC 2.4 ML

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:01:06 GMT

Depth 1.1 km; Lat/Long 53.041° North,2.127° West; BGS have detected an earthquake at 12:00 UTC today (11 January 2012) located near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Three people (to date) from Stoke-on-Trent have reported having felt this event, describing felt a quick sudden jerk .

UK Shale Gas and Groundwater Methane

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The British Geological Survey is undertaking a new project to establish the baseline of methane levels in groundwater throughout the UK. Evidence from the USA has shown very high methane concentrations in groundwater in areas of shale gas exploitation, which have been directly related to shale gas operations. However there is considerable uncertainty as to the source of methane, its migration pathways and transport processes, and crucially there is no baseline data on methane concentrations in groundwater from before the onset of shale gas exploitation.

In the UK, the BGS are therefore establishing a baseline for methane in groundwater in different aquifers before shale gas development gets underway, against which future environmental impacts can be assessed and appropriate management decisions taken.

University and Geological Survey join together in a critical alliance

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

In response to growing unease over supply of critical metals for high-tech manufacturing and green technologies, the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the University of Exeter have agreed to join forces in a new initiative to improve research capability in this vital area.

BGS Seismic Alert : Bodmin, Cornwall 04 December 2011 02:40 UTC 2.2 ML

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:12:14 GMT

Depth 3.7 km; Lat/Long 50.482° North,4.82° West; BGS have received reports from St Austell and Liskeard, Cornwall of a felt event this morning at around 02:40 UTC. Onr reports described this was a very differnet more physical sound and rumble than the usual blasting from the clay mines .

BGS Seismic Alert : EASTERN TURKEY 23 October 2011 10:41 UTC 7.2

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:10:07 GMT

Depth 20 km; Lat/Long 38.628 ° North,43.486° West; Latest reports indicate that upwards of 1000 people have been killed and that many buildings have collapsed in Van Province.