Research
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.
Our research
Decarbonisation and resource management
Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience.
Multi-hazards and resilience
We work with partners worldwide to enhance understanding of hazards, vulnerability, exposure and risk to ensure our science is useful, usable and used.
Digital geoscience
The BGS is a data-rich organisation. Our data science and data infrastructure are fundamental to our future research and underpin our strategic challenges.
National geoscience
The National Geoscience programme is a forward-looking investment in UK geology that provides relevant, coherent and enriched geoscience knowledge for our stakeholders.
International geoscience
BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.
Our research facilities
Marine operations
BGS’s highly experienced marine operations team have undertaken both scientific and commercial offshore projects around the globe.
Rock Volume Characterisation Laboratory Cluster
Studying the structural and compositional characterisation of rocks and their constituent parts at all scales.
Centre for Environmental Geochemistry
Focusing on the use of geochemistry in research, training and teaching.
Engineering and Geotechnical Capability
Leading the development and application of field and laboratory infrastructure and long-term management of geophysical and geotechnical property data.
Fluid and Rock Processes Laboratory Cluster
Identifying, measuring and quantifying complex geological and environmental processes essential in the efficient utilisation of natural resources and underground spaces.
Explore research projects
Browse by challenge, interest, region and keywords
Environmental modelling
Advancing the understanding of environmental systems through innovative modelling techniques and interdisciplinary research.
The Common Ground project
The Common Ground project aims to enhance the value of GI data for the UK construction and environmental sectors.
TerraFIRMA
TerraFIRMA is a five-year, NERC-funded, Multi-Centre National Capability (MCNC) UKRI award running from April 2022 to March 2027
Geothermal energy
Investigating geothermal energy — energy stored in the form of heat beneath the surface of the solid Earth.
The impacts of rising groundwater at the coast
Our current activities build on the BGS’s extensive research experience in this region, contributing to welfare and future economic growth by the responsible use of natural resources.
Sinkholes and karst research
Our research extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst.
Glasgow and the Clyde Basin — Clyde Urban Super Project (CUSP)
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is built along the upper Clyde estuary and lower River Clyde. Areas of central Glasgow form the national urban regeneration priority for Scotland over the next 25 years.
Regional geological summaries
Thirteen summaries of the on-shore regional geology for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Critical raw materials
Addressing global concerns over the long-term availability of secure and adequate supplies of the minerals and metals needed by society.