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Understanding our Earth
We are a world-leading independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information and knowledge.
Latest news and events
![River Clyde, Glasgow. © Glasgow Life, Paul Watt Photography](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/river-clyde-cityscape.webp)
UK bidding to host the International Geological Congress 2028
18/03/2024
BGS has partnered with the Geological Society of London and the Scottish Geology Trust to develop a bid to host the 38th International Geological Congress in Glasgow in 2028.
![BGS staff sampling a chalk spring for microplastics in 2024. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/P1038363.webp)
BGS to lead a new research project on microplastic occurrence in springs
06/03/2024
BGS has been awarded a two-year research project to undertake the first assessment of microplastic occurrence in springs in the UK.
![Breaking ground ceremony. L to R: Sami Massum (BGS), David Boon (BGS), Councillor Rob Inglis, Michelle Bentham, (BGS), Mark Thorpe (Pick Everard), Ross Goodband (Pick Everard), Ruth Edwards MP, Daniel Crow (BGS), Gershwyn Soanes (BGS), Andrew McConnochie (BGS), Mike Potter (NERC), James Howell (NERC) and Edward Leddy-Owen. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/P1039076.webp)
Local MP helps BGS launch a ‘living laboratory’
05/03/2024
BGS is implementing a low-carbon heating system to help meet its net zero targets and provide data to the public.
![IODP Expedition 389 science party members, including BGS's Margaret Stewart (second from right), discussing cores. Marley Parker @ ECORD_IODP.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/iodp-exp-389-science-party-members.webp)
Scientists produce first record of environmental data off coast of Hawai’i
01/03/2024
An international team of researchers, including BGS geoscientists, have succeeded in acquiring a continuous record of environmental data using fossilised coral from Hawai’i.
![bgs-open-day-artwork-2024](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bgs-open-day-artwork-2024.webp)
BGS Open Day 2024
Event on 08/06/2024
Join us on 8 June 2024 to explore volcanoes and earthquakes, soils and aquifers, the sea, the sky and everything in between!
![Debris flow susceptibility model GlenCoe. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright and database rights 2022.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Debris-Flow-Susceptibility-Model_GlenCoe.jpg)
BGS data product licence fees to rise
01/03/2024
New direct licence fees to be introduced from 1 April 2024.
![Margarita Segou. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/margarita-segou-gji.webp)
BGS seismologist named editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International
29/02/2024
Margarita Segou has been appointed as the editor-in-chief of one of the world’s leading, peer-reviewed research journals in solid-Earth geophysics.
![Flags of countries in front of the United Nations office at Geneva. © Xabi Oregi, Pexels.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-xabi-oregi-16459372.webp)
BGS to help deliver International Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management
27/02/2024
BGS has been announced as part of a consortium approved by the UN to deliver its International Centres of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management.
![Rebecca Mumpansha, a GSD librarian, with the sales stock of geological maps. © Rachel Talbot.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/P1000254-960x645.webp)
Unlocking key mineral archives at the Zambian Geological Survey Department
23/02/2024
Rachel Talbot recounts a recent visit by BGS Records staff to the Zambian Geological Survey Department, to assist in critical mineral data management.
![Aurora borealis in northern Norway. © Jeremy Bishop/Unsplash.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/henrik-heitmann-wQ1UIvNfgYQ-unsplash.webp)
Will 2024 be the Year of the Aurora?
23/02/2024
The Sun’s approximate eleven-year activity cycle is predicted to peak this year, prompting BGS scientists to anticipate that 2024 will be the ‘Year of the Aurora’.
![BGS Geomagnetism webinar](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/geomagnetism_lecture__website_banner.jpg)
From the Earth’s core to outer space: understanding the magnetic field
Event on 26/03/2024
A special webinar focusing on our our geomagnetism research, including how we measure the magnetic field, everyday applications and mitigating the threats of space weather.
Our core challenge areas
![Ince Marshes © Peter Corcoran](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Decarbonisation_feature_Inch_Marshes.jpg)
Decarbonisation and resource management
Decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves geoscience.
![Environmental change](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/feature_env_change.jpg)
Environmental change, adaptation and resilience
We are undertaking research aimed at reducing vulnerability, protecting resources and building resilience in response to substantial environmental changes.
![Photo by Marc Szeglat on Unsplash](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feature_MHR_Marc_Szeglat_Unsplash.jpg)
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.
![BGS Global Geoscience](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BGS_global_pexels_2422.jpg)
International geoscience
The BGS is active across the globe delivering institutional strengthening programmes and applied research projects across a wide variety of sectors.
![Avon Gorge at Clifton. Looking north.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/National-Feature.jpg)
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.
![Image from BGS Geology of Britain Map](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Digital-Feature2.jpg)
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.
![BGS Maps Portal](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/scanmapsicon_feature.jpg)
Map viewers
Data published through map viewers allowing you to reveal more about the ground beneath your feet.
![igeology3D](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/igeology3D.jpg)
Technologies
Applications, software and online services created by the BGS and our collaborators.
![old mining plans](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/feature_miningplans.jpg)
Information hub
Data collections, publications, scanned records and other data gathered by BGS and provided by external organisations.
![BGS iGeology app](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/feature_opengeoscience.jpg)
OpenGeoscience
OpenGeoscience is a free service where you can view maps, download data, scans, photos and other information.
![Image from BGS Geology of Britain Map](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Digital-Feature2.jpg)
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.
![Aeromagnetic surveys](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/feature_aeromagnetic.jpg)
Digital data licensing and resellers
If you are interested in an information product and the Open Government Licence is not applicable, we encourage the use and exploitation of our information products by providing a wide range of licences.
![feature_data](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/feature_data.jpg)
National Geoscience Data Centre
The National Geoscience Data Centre collects and preserves geoscientific data, making it available to a wide range of users and communities.
![BGS core store](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/core_store_web_P900671-960x641.jpg)
National Geological Repository
The National Geological Repository holds our collections of borehole cores, cuttings, samples, specimens, and related subsurface information from the UK landmass and continental shelf.
![Discover Geology](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Discover-Geology.png)
Discovering Geology
Discovering Geology introduces a range of geoscience topics to school-age students and learners of all ages. Explore these pages to discover the fascinating processes and properties that shape our dynamic planet.
![feature_rocks_minerals](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_rocks_minerals.jpg)
Rocks and minerals
Find out more about the differences between rocks and minerals and how they are formed.
![Iceberg P912184](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feature_climate_P912184.jpg)
Discovering Geology: climate change
What is the difference between weather and climate? what causes the Earth’s climate to change and what are the impacts? Find out more with our Discovery Geology climate change resources.
![lava flow - Pexels / Pixabay](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feature_hazards_pexels_235807.jpg)
Earth hazards
The Earth beneath our feet is constantly shifting and moving, and violently with catastrophic and immediate results. Find out more about earth hazards.
![A waterfall in Iceland](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/P572430.jpg)
Geological processes
Planet Earth is dynamic with a surface that is always changing. Find out about the processes that cause these changes.
![fishThroughTime](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/fishThroughTime.jpg)
Fossils and geological time
Take a look at the history of the Earth, from its formation over four and a half billion years ago to present times.
![View up Glen Rosa towards Cir Mhor, Arran. Andrew Finlayson and Martin Gillespie in foreground.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AboutUs-P662370-960x497.jpg)
About BGS
As the national geological survey, we are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative scientific data, information and knowledge to help society understand our Earth.
![BGS core store](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/core_store_web_P900671-960x641.jpg)
Our data and services
The BGS offers a range of services and information for businesses, home-owners, policymakers and the general public.
![Working with us](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/feature_working_with_us.jpg)
Working with us
BGS is committed to being an employer of choice and strives to embrace a culture of inclusivity and flexibility.
![BGS William Smith Building- Alexander Rotton](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feature_facilities_Alex_Rotten.jpg)
Offices and locations
Find out more about our offices and facilities located across the UK.
![BGS Keyworth - Alexander Rotton](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feature_contact_Alex_Rotten.jpg)
Contact us
Find out more about the BGS and the services we offer through our enquiries and customer services team.