Research themes
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.



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
and research into dynamic earth processes.


Pollution Environment and health

Medical geology, contaminated land, groundwater contamination,
geomicrobiology, mathermatical modelling, waste disposal,
abandoned mines and radioactive waste.


Stream sediment sampling Geoscience baselines

Non-seismic geophysical data, airborne geophysical surveys, geochemical baseline data, sediment, soil and streamwater sampling.


Flooding Groundwater

Hydrological 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 and development

Urban development, 3D models, sustainable soils, engineering properties of rocks and soils, 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

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


3D geological model Spatial technologies

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