British Geological Survey
Japan 8.9 Mw earthquake 11 March 2011 | Comparing Haiti, Christchurch and Honshu
updated
The maps are based on data produced by UK Civil Hydrography Programme of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which includes bathymetry data, backscatter imagery, grab samples and other existing datasets such as seismic, sediment texture sheets and existing 1:250 000-scale geological maps.
For more information please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/news/new-geological-map-of-offshore-anglesey-released
This short video gives an overview of the climate related product and service line that BGS are currently developing.
Hearing more about what it is that you want, and need is part of the product development journey so do please get in touch with us at digitaldata@bgs.ac.uk.
Carbon dioxide capture and storage can be applied to emissions from large sources such as power stations, cement factories or oil refineries, by storing more CO2 than is produced the negative emissions will enable us to achieve net zero targets. The carbon dioxide, or CO2, is captured at the source then transported and permanently stored in geological formations deep underground.
At the British Geological Survey our research aims to make C02 storage a permanent , useful and cost-effective element of the energy transition. We study:
- The character and capacity of potential storage strata
- How stored CO2 might interact with surrounding rocks
- Technologies to demonstrate that storage is permanent
- Long term operation and closure of a site
- Social attitudes and community concerns.
Carbon dioxide capture and storage can help us to reduce our overall emissions to zero. We are committed to increasing our scientific understanding and addressing gaps in our knowledge to enable it to play a key role in the energy transition.
The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) conducts a mine monitoring programme where field visits are carried out all year round to assess safety and collect stability data from mine sites. Where areas of concern are identified, programmes of work are implemented to minimise the risk to the public, buildings, infrastructure, environment and livestock.
One of the other roles that GSNI has in this area is to educate the public on Northern Ireland’s significant mining heritage and also on the dangers associated with abandoned mines. As part of this, GSNI developed a virtual mine tour to allow the public to travel (virtually) underground to explore one of Co. Antrim’s many iron mines.
The manufacture of iron on the island of Ireland dates back to prehistoric times but wasn’t extensive in the province of Ulster until the 16th century. Commercial iron mining in Co. Antrim began in the mid-19th century when it was discovered there was a rich resource within the rocks. Mining operations initially began in the areas around Glenravel and Cargan, inland from Cushendall and Carnlough and the industry rapidly grew to take in other parts of Co. Antrim.
Lyle Hill mine, just outside Templepatrick, was first worked for iron ore in the 1880’s and although it wasn’t one of the better-known iron mines at the time and relatively small in comparison to others in the area, it is the best preserved. Inside contains hints of how the mine operated, and of the conditions under which the miners would have worked so it is a perfect place to lead a virtual tour.
Our 30-minute webinar will give an overview of river scour and its associated river erosion hazards, including surface geology susceptibility and bedrock geology susceptibility, and will be followed by an introduction to the Open and Premium GeoScour data packages. The webinar will end with a short Q&A session with our data product experts.
For more information, please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geoscour-premium
The BGS GeoScour datasets provide a generalised overview of the natural characteristics and properties of catchment and riverine environments for the assessment of river scour in Great Britain.
GeoScour is based on the outputs of numerous research programmes, data analytics and stakeholder advice. It provides data sufficient for users to analyse and assess a range of riverine risks at various scales.
This suite of data is split into three tiers. These provide a consistent, nationwide scour assessment for Great Britain. Tier 1 and 2 datasets are freely accessible via the BGS GeoIndex and are aligned to the Water Framework Directive management catchments. Tier 3 contains licenced datasets created at a riverine scale using the latest OS Open Rivers watercourse data, which also subsequently feeds into the Tier 2 catchment-scale data.
For more information, please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geoscour-premium
This talk, by BGS geologist David Tappin, briefly covers how this raised awareness has developed, focusing on events such as the Papua New Guinea submarine landslide tsunami of 1998 (when 2200 people died), to the Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami of 2004 (when 220 000 died in Indonesia, India and Thailand) and, most recently, events in Indonesia and Tonga from volcanic eruptions.
David has researched all of these recent tsunamis, especially focusing on those from submarine landslides and volcanic eruptions.
In the webinar, you will gain insights into the content of the data and why it is important to understand the natural geological conditions, and learn more about our development of coastal erosion data and its potential uses.
Contents:
0:00 - Introduction and overview
1:40 - Why have we developed GeoCoast
5:30 - Data and methodology
15:50 - GeoCoast case study
21:15 - Access and licence the data
22:30 - Q&A session
BGS is developing new coastal datasets to help inform and respond to coastal adaptation and resilience.
BGS GeoCoast is an integrated GIS package of datasets designed to inform and support coastal management and adaptation. GeoCoast can be used to underpin coastal decision making and planning relative to coastal inundation, erosion and climate change impacts.
BGS GeoCoast will be available soon for focus group trial and feedback.
For more information, contact digitaldata@bgs.ac.uk.
Supported by a British Council Researcher Links Climate Challenge Workshop grant, the British Geological Survey worked with colleagues from the UK and Vietnam to explore some of these barriers.
Contents:
0:00 - Welcome
1:48 - Keynote: Ms Marthe Wens (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)*
Education, financial incentives and awareness to reduce smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to drought: A MODELLING STUDY
17:42 - Dr Anne Van Loon (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)*
Managing droughts & floods in the Limpopo basin: Bringing together different types of information and co-creating scenarios
35:42 - Climate-smart agriculture impacts on groundwater recharge estimates. D. Mudimbu, K. Banda, B. Brauns, D.J. Lapworth, A.M. MacDonald, W. Namaona, R. Owen, M. Sinda
55:20 - Capacity building in multi-disciplinary methods for improved understanding of the impact of conservation agriculture on groundwater resources in Africa. W. Namaona, T. Chavula, D. Mudimbu,
K. Banda, B. Brauns, D.J. Lapworth, A.M. MacDonald, R. Owen, M. Sinda
1:15:20 - Institutional capacity strengthening within CEPHaS: A mixed methods study. K. Duda, Justin Pulford
1:40:02 - Imaging geolectrical responses of agricultural soils to rainfall events. R. Swift, J. Chambers, J. Boyd, P. Wilkinson, C. Inauen, T. Mtangadura, E. Phiri, I. Sandram, P. Meldrum, H. Harrison, P. Mapfumo, P. Nalivata, F. Mtambanengwe, J. Chimungu, C. Chisanga, I. Ligowe, P. Lubinga, N. Magwero, T. Mapangisana, V. Mbanyele, C. Miti, M. Moombe, W. Namaona, H. Nezomba, K. Njira, O. Kuras, A. Watlet, J. Whiteley, M. Cimpoiasu, F.Nguyen, M. Lark
1:57:23 - Rising groundwater temperatures in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. B.Brauns, R. Owen, D. Mudimbu, W. Namaona, M. Sinda, K. Banda, D.J. Lapworth, A.M. MacDonald
2:18:38 - An Evaluation of labour use in Conservation Agriculture: A case of smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe. S. Siziba, F. Mtambanengwe, T. Mapangisana
Contents:
0:00 - Welcome
1:35 - Keynote: Dr David Chikoye (IITA)*
28:10 - Analysis of soil microstructure using X-ray Computed Tomography from CEPHaS Conservation Agriculture field trials. C.J. Sturrock, I. Sandram, T.J. Mtangadura, A.S. Gregory, W.R. Whalley
51:27 - Pedotransfer functions for Southern Africa: A review and quantitative appraisal and re-
parameterization of selected functions. C. Miti, R.M. Lark, H. Nezomba, J. Chimungu, I. Sandram, N.
Magwero, J. Banda, E. Phiri
1:16:05 - Legacy soil information as a framework to address contemporary challenges. Perspectives from Zambia. I. Mukumbuta, C. Miti, S. Sichinga, L. Chabala, M. Lark
1:37:05 - Keynote: Dr Matthew Mbanga (Foundations for Farming)*
2:00:55 - Modelling soil hydrothermal regimes under reduced and conventional tillage systems. E. Phiri, R. Whalley, A. Gregory, A. Tye, C. Chisanga, M. Moombe, M. Lark, C. Miti, P. Lubinga, O. Lungu
2:20:10 - Long-term trends in rainfall and temperature over Southern Africa: a case study of Chitedze,
Domboshava and Liempe. C.B. Chisanga, E. Phiri, C. Miti, M. Moombe, M. Lark
Contents:
0:00 - Introduction and Welcome (Murray Lark & Alessia D’Artibale)
12:26 - Keynote: Prof. Martin Broadley ( Rothamsted Research, University of Nottingham)*
33:45 - Soil moisture retention curves under reduced and conventional tillage. M. Moombe, E. Phiri, G.Musukwa, V. Mbanyele, T. Mtangadura, H. Nezomba, J. Chimungu, A. Gregory, R. Whalley, M. Lark
56:19 - Comparative long-term performance of conservation agriculture and conventional tillage on soil water dynamics and maize (Zea mays L.) yield in semi-arid Zimbabwe. V. Mbanyele, H. Nezomba, F.Mtambanengwe, T. Mtangadura, A.S. Gregory, W.R. Whalley, P. Mapfumo
1:21:34 - CA influences on soil organic carbon and aggregate stability. K. Njira, A. Tye, I. Ligowe, C. Sturrock, V.Mbanyele
1:46:30 - Keynote: Dr Christian Thierfelder (CIMMYT)*
Developing resilient and sustainable cropping systems for a changing climate - the case of
southern Africa
2:25:00 - CEPHaStat_3: A review and update. M. Lark, C. Miti, C. Chisanga, J. Chimungu, H. Nezomba
Please note there is a correction to the conclusions slide at 45:58 - the second bullet point should read: ZW: some evidence of greater water retention at low tensions (less-negative matric potentials – “wet-end”) under conventional at 10-20 cm, which could indicate a tillage effect in a lighter-textured soil.
Find out more: achilles-grant.org.uk
The Glasgow underground observatory is one of two new facilities that will help shed light on how underground heat resources could warm our homes and businesses.
The exhibition is called Clean Energy Beneath Our Feet and it is on display in Glasgow Science Centre’s Powering the Future zone.
Find out more:
ukgeos.ac.uk/news/clean_energy_beneath_our_feet_launches_at_glasgow_science_centre
For more info, visit: bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geoscour-open
myHAZ-VCT was developed by BGS, UWI Seismic Research Centre, and the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) for use in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
You can find out more on our website:
bgs.ac.uk/news/wildlife-and-biodiversity-gains-at-bgs
For more information please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/map-viewers/geoindex-onshore
BGS is developing new coastal datasets to help inform and respond to coastal adaptation and resilience.
BGS GeoCoast is an integrated GIS package of datasets designed to inform and support coastal management and adaptation. GeoCoast can be used to underpin coastal decision making and planning relative to coastal inundation, erosion and climate change impacts.
BGS GeoCoast will be available soon for focus group trial and feedback.
For more information, contact digitaldata@bgs.ac.uk.
----------- Content --------------
0:00 - Introduction
1:21 - Geothermal (heating)
5:22 - Water
9:16 - Electric vehicles
13:12 - Household 'stuff'
17:10 - Food
22:24 - Public transport and larger vehicles
24:38 - Power (electricity)
27:28 - Flooding
33:06 - Raw materials & recycling
36:09 - Summary & Questions
----------------------------------------
The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. The aim is clear: to reach net zero by 2050, ensuring that the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount we remove.
We hear a lot about the effects of climate change in the media, such as changing weather patterns, flooding and droughts, as well as the need to adopt sustainable technologies. But what does that look like in our own homes and just how important is geology in achieving net zero and adapting to climate change?
What critical raw materials do we need to meet the demand for electric vehicles?
Can renewable energy from under the ground heat our homes?
How can groundwater safeguard food supplies?
How will geoscience influence the homes of the future?
Join BGS scientists for a special family-friendly lecture as we explore the role of geology in our everyday lives and how it is helping to meet our needs in a changing climate.
---------- Contents -------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
01:48 - UK groundwater drought vulnerability in a changing climate - Jonathan Mackay
24:29 - Mitigating the increasing threat posed by shallow geohazards - Prof Jonathan Chambers
43:24 - Climate resilient cities - Stephanie Bricker
1:00:26 - Summary and panel Q&A
----------------------------------------------------
The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. The aim is clear: to reach net zero by 2050, ensuring that the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount we remove.
Protecting communities and natural habitats through adaptation is one of the four primary goals of COP26. Geoscience has a crucial role to play in managing the impacts and effects of climate change, from managing groundwater resources to creating sustainable urban spaces and mitigating environmental hazards. At BGS, scientists have been harnessing long-term data and modelling the anticipated impacts of climate change in the UK to the year 2100.
Hear from leading BGS geoscientists about key findings from our modelling projections and our latest research aimed at adaptation and mitigation measures in the UK:
- anticipated impacts of climate change in the UK to the year 2100
- regional controls on historical and future groundwater drought severity
- mitigating the increasing threat posed by shallow geohazards, such as landslides and clay shrink–swell
- adaption through the sustainable use of urban subsurface spaces
--------- Contents ---------
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Project Overview
1:36 Site Tour
4:21 Baseline Monitoring
5:27 Future Developments
6:00 Access our Data
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---------- Contents -------------------------
00:00 - Introduction
02:04 - The role of geothermal in the decarbonisation of heat - Dr Corinna Abesser
12:14 - Underground Observatories - Dr Alison Monaghan
24:13 - Decarbonising industry, power and hydrogen with CCS - Dr Maxine Akhurst
38:05 - Why is our glacial past so key for offshore wind energy projects - Gareth Carter
57:16 - Summary and panel Q&A
----------------------------------------------------
The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. The aim is clear: to reach net zero by 2050, ensuring that the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount we remove.
Securing global net zero by mid-century is the primary goal of COP26. Through its presidency of the conference in November, the UK is urging countries and companies around the world to share its aim of delivering sustainable growth and a net zero carbon emission economy by 2050. At the heart of the technical challenge, set out in the UK Government’s Energy White Paper, is how to decarbonise power, industry, transport, and the heating and cooling of buildings.
At BGS, we believe the subsurface has a vital role to play in meeting this challenge.
In this recorded webinar, you will get insights into the content of the data, learn more about our upgrade from GeoClimate UKCP09, the research and potential uses.
For more information about BGS GeoClimate: shrink-swell national datasets, please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/datasets/geoclimate-ukcp09-and-ukcp18
Catch up with Expedition Deep Ocean on Discovery+ which, documents the team's day-to-day activities, and triumphs.
Video footage courtesy of Atlantic Productions.
Images courtesy of Heather Stewart (BGS) and Caladan Oceanic.
It will take about 30 minutes and you will need:
A rock
A magnifying glass or hand lens
Some paper, a pen and a ruler
This activity covers the Key Stage 2 (school years 3-6) requirements of observing, identifying and classifying igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and, in addition, the Key Stage 3 (school years 7-9) requirements to present data and report on the findings.
To find out more about geomagnetism, visit www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk and follow @BGSSpaceWeather and @BGSAuroraAlert on Twitter.
6:12 Understanding our Earth - Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director
42:11 METEOR Project - Dr Colm Jordan, BGS Head of Geodesy & Earth Observation
57:06 Geoscience Solutions for Net Zero - Prof Mike Stephenson, BGS Chief Scientist
1:21:12 Looking to the future - Sir Keith O'Nions & Dr Karen Hanghøj
Get in the Christmas spirit with our 202 Festive Fun talks.
Contents:
0:00 - Welcome
0:35 - Santa's Space Weather Forecast* (Gemma Richardson)
12:44 - Geology of the Holy Land ... and a bit beyond (Paul Nathanail)
37:09 - From rocks to the Christmas dinner table (Leanne Hughes)
52:36 - Q&A
We are The British Geological Survey.
Welcome to the UK Geoenergy Observatories.
Find out more at ukgeos.ac.uk
#ukgeoenergyobs #NERCscience
We are The British Geological Survey.
Welcome to the UK Geoenergy Observatories.
Find out more at ukgeos.ac.uk
#ukgeoenergyobs #NERCscience
The Five Deeps Expedition was a venture conceived by explorer Victor Vescovo, which saw him reach the deepest point in each of the Earth’s five oceans in his own purpose-built, full ocean-depth submersible in a series of expeditions in 2018–19. Join the BGS’s Heather Stewart, the chief geologist on the expedition’s science team, to hear about the challenges of exploring the deepest sea floors and find out what they learnt.
In this talk Ekbal will briefly demonstrate the power and usefulness of satellite data and how we at the BGS use this information to respond to disasters, look for mineral deposits and monitor space weather.
Our starting point is the first geological map, made by William Smith in 1815. The Ordnance Geological Survey was formed in 1835 and we take a look at the some of the original drawing tools used in the past by geologists and cartographers to produce geological maps.
You can find digital versions of our maps at: bgs.ac.uk/OpenGeoscience
We're back with some Jam Jar Geology, and this time we're talking aquifers - how do rocks store water?
Grab a little helper and some different kinds of chocolate to discover which type of rock holds water the best!
These resources are intended as an introduction to geological subjects for primary school children aged 5-11.
Follow us on social media:
http://www.twitter.com/britgeosurvey
http://www.facebook.com/BritishGeologicalSurvey
http://www.instagram.com/britgeosurvey
Our vision is for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous planet and a future based on sound geoscientific solutions.
Our science strategy for 2019-2023, 'Gateway to the Earth', focuses on solving problems around the three science challenges:
🏙️ Decarbonisation and resource management
🌍 Environmental change, adaptation and resilience
🌋 Multihazards and resilience
Underpinning the three challenges is our digital transformation, which will be fundamental to our future research.
Find out more about our marine work: bgs.ac.uk/research/marine
In today's Jam Jar Geology, @Leannes_space shows us how to test different materials with a paper windmill 🌬️
You'll need:
🔸 Paper
🔸 Pencil
🔸 Pin
🔸 Scissors
🔸 Different materials
These resources are intended as an introduction to geological subjects for primary school children aged 5-11.
Follow us on social media:
http://www.twitter.com/britgeosurvey
http://www.facebook.com/BritishGeologicalSurvey
http://www.instagram.com/britgeosurvey
(We don't think we need to tell you what to do with the chocolate when you're done!)
These resources are intended as an introduction to geological subjects for primary school children aged 5-11 (although ‘big kids’ are welcome if only for the mars bar). For those interested in more advanced theories behind plate tectonic movements please visit:
bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/hazards/earthquakes/whatDrivesTectonicPlates.html
Follow us on social media:
http://www.twitter.com/britgeosurvey
http://www.facebook.com/BritishGeologicalSurvey
http://www.instagram.com/britgeosurvey
All you'll need is:
🔸 Normal paper
🔸 Grease-proof paper
🔸 Colouring pencils
🔸 A spoon
🔸 A jar
Our jam jar geologist Leanne is back with another experiment to keep any budding young scientists entertained!
All you'll need for this one is:
🔸 Salt
🔸 Hot water
🔸 A jug
🔸 String
Learn how sedimentary rocks are formed with our Jam Jar Geologist Leanne Hughes' 'storm in a teacup'! 🌪
All you'll need is:
🔸 Some gravel
🔸 Some sand
🔸 Water
🔸 A teacup
🔸 A jar
🔸 A helper who can swirl up a storm!


