Our research
BGS staff in the laboratory

Our research includes core geological survey and monitoring work and other innovative projects addressing today's geoscientific challenges driven by the changing needs of our stakeholders.


Current activities

Landscape Current activities
A selection of research activities from international and UK projects.
Recent highlights include geological mapping, mineral resource mapping and geochemical mapping projects.


Research themes

Digital mapping in the field UK geology

Multidisciplinary surveys, research into the surface and subsurface, 3D models, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


Drought Climate change

Climate change impacts, deep-time climates, coastal change
and landscape evolution.


Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat Earth hazards

Volcano monitoring, communicating hazards, UK seismic network,
seismic hazard, UK magnetic observation, applied geomagnetic data, landslides and research into dynamic earth processes.


Sea energy, © Getty images Energy

Carbon capture and storage, seismic imaging, reservoir geoscience,
oil and gas, renewables and clean coal.


3D geological model Geoscience technologies

Imaging the shallow subsurface, digital mapping, 3D modelling,
remote sensing, Earth observation, best practice guidance on rock classification,
3D modelling and rock properties.


Flooding Groundwater science

Hydrogeological processes, groundwater modelling, floods and droughts,
survey and management, groundwater quality and aquifer properties.


BGS staff giving advice overseas International

Applied geology, protection of people, poverty alleviation, institution strengthening and sustainable natural resources.


Aerial photograph Land use planning and development

Urban geoscience, 3D models, geotechnical and geophysical properties and processes, geohazards, flooding, subsidence and landslides.


Offshore exploration Marine geoscience

Sea-bed mapping, marine habitats, basin analysis, Atlantic margin, Southern North Sea, marine resources, hydrocarbon prospectivity, ocean drilling and marine geohazards.


Mineral exploration Minerals and waste

Minerals statistics, mineralsUK.com, policy analysis, international development, metallogenesis and security of supply.


Flood plain Information products

Information Products programme works with industrial and academic partners to enhance existing products and provide new and innovative data through collaborative research. Examples include: uncertainty and confidence modelling, risk and vulnerability data, crowdsourcing, terrestrial ecosystems digital maps.