Correlation of the Cretaceous exposures of East Antrim
PROJECT DETAILS ONLY - NO DATA. The main project of this study has been the analysis of all the Cretaceous deposits exposed in East Antrim. This has been attempted with a view to determining the stratigraphical sequence of both the rock units and the geological events.
INSPIRE Implementing rules laying down technical arrangements for the interoperability and harmonisation of Geology
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
The BGS Homepage is an entry point to the BGS data services.
Offshore seismic hazard models and maps for the UK Exclusive Economic Zone
A new, robust seismic hazard model and seismic hazard maps for the UK offshore Exclusive Economic Zone using the latest available data and recent advances in seismic hazard methodology and a Monte Carlo-based approach for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. These are intended to update the current maps for UK waters published in 2002. We developed a comprehensive catalogue of earthquake activity across the region by combining existing earthquake catalogues and data from regional and local monitoring agencies. We modelled earthquake occurrence across the region using a seismic source characterisation (SSC) model that consists of a series of zones, where seismicity is considered to be homogeneous, based on tectonics, geology and seismicity of the study area. We use four different seismic source zone models within the SSC to capture the epistemic uncertainty in different rupture scenarios. A logic tree approach was used to account for the epistemic uncertainty in earthquake activity rates, maximum magnitude, earthquake depth distribution, and faulting style. Ground motions are estimated for different rupture scenarios using a ground motion characterisation (GMC) model that consists of five multiple ground motion prediction equations considered to be applicable to the region. The GMPEs are included in a logic tree where the weights are informed by the fit between observed and modelled ground motions. The GMC model also includes the host-to-target adjustments and a single-station sigma model. Hazard is calculated at 4585 individual points spaced at 0.125° in latitude and 0.25° in longitude for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration at 0.2 s (SA0.2 s) and 1.0 s (SA1.0 s) for 5% damping and rock conditions and the return periods of 95, 475, 1100, 2475, and 5000 years. This is the first time that maps of the seismic hazard at short (0.2 s) and long periods (1.0 s) have been produced for UK waters. Hazard curves, uniform hazard spectra, and disaggregation analysis have been calculated for three offshore carbon capture and storage sites (Endurance, Acorn, and HyNet North West). New offshore hazard maps for the UK waters will support UK decarbonisation by providing owners and operators of offshore structures with robust estimates of seismic hazard for new and existing sites. The results will also inform regulatory decisions to ensure safe operating practices in the industry and help identify areas of higher hazard where further site-specific studies might be needed. Finally, it will provide a robust baseline for tectonic seismic activity in the North Sea that can be used to help discriminate any seismicity induced by operations, such as CCS, in the event it occurs. The technical report by Mosca et al. (2024), which provides a detailed description of the methods and results, together with the project’s products, can be found in (http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/hazard/UKhazard.html).
Citation Information - Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Mosca, I., Baptie, B., Haslam, R., Gafeira, J., Jenkins, G. (2025). Offshore seismic hazard models and maps for the UK Exclusive Economic Zone. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/a6babafa-5c82-4e76-aef5-27441104187f
We use probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), which combines seismological, geological and geophysical data to produce a probabilistic description of expected ground shaking that may occur at a site. This consists of four steps: 1) Definition of seismic sources based on the tectonics, geology and seismicity in the region, forming a seismic source model (SSM). 2) Quantification of the rate of earthquake occurrence for each seismic source using the Gutenberg-Richter law. 3) Characterisation of the ‘earthquake effect’. 4) Estimation of the hazard at the site(s) by integrating over the seismic sources for the location and size of future earthquakes with expected ground shaking. We used Monte Carlo-based PSHA to generate artificial catalogues by random sampling of the probability distributions in the SSM and computing the predicted ground motion for the synthetic events.
Timeline of volcanic activity of Fuego volcano, Guatemala 2015-2024
Database of volcanic activity at Fuego volcano, Guatemala from 2015 to 2024. The database compiles observations such as number of explosions, ash plume altitude, rockfalls, ashfall, and lava flow and pyroclastic flow occurrences. Compiled using daily and special bulletins of INSIVUMEH, the national agency responsible for monitoring volcanoes and other hazards in Guatemala. Built by Amelia Bain and Fabrizio Ponce. This database contextualises the volcanic activity at Fuego over the specified time period and may be useful for interpreting concurrent remote sensing, geophysical, or other observational data.
The database was coded by two researchers (Amelia Bain and Fabrizio Ponce) working as part of the GCRF-funded 'Ixchel' project, based on the daily and special bulletins released for Fuego volcano by INSIVUMEH.
Simplified reservoir models are used to estimate the boundary conditions (pressure, temperature and flow) that are relevant to the primary aims of this project. A set of boundary conditions are defined at the wellhead that represent the behaviour of the store. Data relates to publication: Sanchez Fernandez, E., Naylor, M., Lucquiaud, M., Wetenhall, B., Aghajani, H., Race, J., Chalmers, H. Impacts of geological store uncertainties on the design and operation of flexible CCS offshore pipeline infrastructure (2016) International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 52, pp. 139-154. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978197316&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijggc.2016.06.005&partnerID=40&md5=d567f0e06f561613554a1f1c2e230194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.06.005
The dataset has been developed using the procedure outlined in the above paper and the commercially available software packages PipeSim and OLGA provided by Schlumberger.
Permeability data of sintered glass fragments
These data, presented in an excel spreadsheet, where each tab is a different sample (corresponding to the names in the publication), shows the fluid flow volume through time during a permeability measurement, plus the calculation of permeability. These permeability data were used in the publication by Weaver et al. 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118410) The data was collected and analysed at the University of Liverpool and each sample is made of volcanic glass fragments from Hrafntinnuhryggur, Iceland. The geographical location of the samples is here inconsequential for the dataset, the specific obsidian was chosen for its physical properties alone. The experiments were conducted and the data collected and analysed in 2021 and 2022 for publication in 2023. Experiments consisted of placing loose volcanic glass fragments in a crucible and placing the assembly in a high temperature oven (1006 oC) for variable amount of time to sinter them into a coherent material, before cooling and measuring permeability. The permeability measurement was made using the constant head permeability method with synthetic oil as a permeating fluid. This involves the filling of a given height of oil above the sample, creating an overburden that drives fluid flow. Details of the method are provided in detail in Weaver et al., 2023. The data were collected to assess the permeability evolution of fragmental systems undergoing diffusive outgassing, vesiculation and sintering to try to understand the longevity and impact of fragment-filled cracks present in volcanic environments.
Experiments consisted of placing loose volcanic glass fragments in a crucible and placing the assembly in a high temperature oven (1006 oC) for variable amount of time to sinter them into a coherent material, before cooling and measuring permeability. The permeability measurement was made using the constant head permeability method with synthetic oil as a permeating fluid. This involves the filling of a given height of oil above the sample, creating an overburden that drives fluid flow. Volume of oil passing through the sample through time was recorded manually in excel. Details of the method are provided in detail in Weaver et al., 2023.
Pan-European map showing relative suitability score for Pile foundations translated from EMODnet Bathymetry water depth (offshore wind)
Pan-European water depth suitability map, derived from EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network) Bathymetry data, showing the relative suitability for offshore wind pile foundations. The relative scoring system is from 0 (null) and 1 to 5 (i.e., high to low suitability, respectively), resulting in regional water depth suitability map for pile foundations. Null values represent hexagons that extended too far inland (e.g. estuaries) and thus don’t overlay the bathymetry map, however are kept in for information. A score of 5 (low suitability) is given to values >=0 and over 80 m. A score of 3 is given to 60-80 m. A score of 2 (higher suitability) is given to 10-50 m. The scoring system is a relative suitability scale, defined by BGS (2014), a commercial project undertaken with The Crown Estate. The original water depth (EMODnet Bathymetry) data has been translated into Hex maps due to the various data resolutions of the bathymetry datasets. Hex maps permit spatial screening of suitable license areas over vast areas and provides the end-user with an understanding to the level of uncertainty regarding the final maps. This pan-European digital GIS product is produced by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and forms part of a series of maps that define domain parameters related to marine geotechnical conditions, focusing on water depth and suitability for foundation installation. Water depth is a critical parameter influencing the selection and design of foundation systems for offshore infrastructure. Water Depth is a domain-type to support early-stage site assessment, engineering design constraints and risk evaluation processes in offshore development projects. The data is useful for marine spatial planners, wind farm developers, and research institutions who would like to understand the suitability of different foundation types for various water depths at a regional scale.
NORTHWEST EUROPEAN CONTINENTAL SHELF [id=121700]
Creation of ‘H3’ hexagon grids, which is a global grid system for indexing geographies into a hexagonal grid (https://h3geo.org/). 6—Hexagons used for regional maps, with an average area of 36.129062164 square kilometers. Aim of hexagon conversion: Each hexagon to summarise the percentage of each hexagon taken up by lower, medium, higher complexity (and null), with the accompanying attributes that went into determining that level of complexity attached to each portion of the hexagon. Bathymetry map methodology: • Exported the hexagon grids (H3 hexagons, resolutions 6) that intersect with the EEZ, using Select by Location and then exporting the selected hexagon cells as a new shapefile (Bathymetry_H3_hex_res6). • The bathymetry layer had to be converted to an integer raster (as opposed to floating point) to be able to use the zonal statistics tools. • Used Zonal Statistics as Table tool (Spatial Analyst > Zonal Toolset) with the following settings: 'Auto detect' for percentile interpolation type. • Then water depth maps using the EMODnet Bathymetry layer was provided for Suction Buckets, Piles, Gravity-based structures and Floating wind farms. The method involves selecting each class of values in the table above and giving them their associated score. NB: The bathymetry map provides water depths as negative values i.e. -15 = 15 m below mean sea level, therefore the ranges in the table above are referring to negative values in the GIS data. To make processing simpler, all positive values in the GIS data were first given a value of -9999, then the whole field was multiplied by -1 to make all valid water depths positive. The MIN field was used for water depths as this contains the deepest values.
Compiled lists of active volcanoes along with active and potential geothermal sites worldwide
Global dataset of active volcanoes along with active and potential geothermal sites. The dataset provides geographic coordinates of; 1) active volcanoes that have erupted in the last 10,000 years worldwide for use by Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) as compiled by the Smisthonian Institution (https://volcano.si.edu/projects/vaac-data/) ; 2) Geographic coordinates of active geothermal sites; 3) Geographic coordinates of potential geothermal sites. Both 2) and 3) were compiled by Coro and Trumpy, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121874). These data are compiled together in a map in the publication Lavallée et al., 2025 (https://doi.org/10.1017/s1062798724000292). The data compiled here are global datasets and the map was created at LMU Munich. The open-source data from Smisthonian Institution is collected and updated since 2013. All data used by Lavallée et al., 2025 were sourced and compiled in January 2024.The compilation was done using Matlab and a basemap provided by ESRI in 2009 The data were used to show how the potential and safe use of magma energy by geothermal power plants at recently active volcanoes could help with the energy transition.
The raw data was downloaded from online sources (Smithsonian Institution) and previously published data in Coro and Trumpy, 2020. The data was compiled and the map produced in Matlab.
Palynological data from Laguna La Yeguada, Panama
This dataset presents a palaeoecological record of stratigraphy, radiocarbon-dated chronology, spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF), pollen and charcoal from lake sediment cores collected from Laguna La Yeguada, Panama. Laguna La Yeguada is an elliptical lake situated in the Veraguas Province within the Isthmus of Panama (8°27' N, 80°51' W). The data were collected to investigate the Late Quaternary megafaunal extinction in Panama and establish the first detailed record of megafaunal presence/absence, vegetation dynamics, and fire activity, respectively, spanning the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene. The data was collected for the PhD research titled: Ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal declines in the Neotropics (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2859430), funded by https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE/S007504/1. The data is to be published in the Quaternary Science Reviews Journal: Pym, F., Franco-Gaviria, F., Raczka, M., Adediran, G.A., Sitch, S. and Urrego, D.H. The Timing and Ecological Consequences of the Late Pleistocene Megafaunal Declines on the Isthmus of Panama: Implications for Trophic Rewilding, Quaternary Science Reviews.
Pym, F., Franco-Gaviria, F., Raczka, M., Adediran, G.A., Sitch, S., Urrego, D.H. 2026. The timing and ecological consequences of the late Pleistocene megafaunal declines on the Isthmus of Panama: Implications for trophic rewilding, Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 378, 109887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.109887
The sediment core was raised using a Colinvaux-Vohnout piston corer in 2009. The age-depth model was produced using the Bacon Package v.2.3.9.1 (Blaauw and Christen, 2013). SCF samples were prepared following a modification of Fægri et al. (1989). This modification removed acetolysis (Pym et al., 2023). Pollen and charcoal samples were prepared following standard protocols (Fægri et al., 1989; Whitlock and Larsen, 2002). SCF and pollen were identified using a Zeiss Axioskop light microscope at 400×, 600× 1000× magnification. Macroscopic charcoal particles were manually separated and photographed using a Zeiss Stemi stereo microscope at 50x magnification. Radiocarbon dates were collected at the Beta Analytic Carbon laboratory (2010 data) and Queen's University Belfast (2024 data). Felix Pym collected the palynological data in the Geography laboratory at the University of Exeter.
The BGS BritPits version 4 is derived from a BGS database, which contains records of mineral workings covering the Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. The coverage includes active, inactive, dormant and ceased sites and a range of mineral operations, including mines, quarries, onshore oil and gas fields, together with wharfs and rail depots handling mineral products and industrial processes which produce a mineral product. The information on currently active sites is continually updated with the cooperation of both local authorities and the minerals industry.
British Geological Survey. (2026). BGS BritPits version 4. British Geological Survey. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/f6b41d3c-b881-4f3d-8e10-40dc7262de1a
This digital archive of mining records held by the BGS, includes information from the Memoirs of the Geological Survey and Museum of Practical Geology (1846 -1872); the Mineral Statistics publications (1855 - 1986); the Inspectorate of Mines (1897, 1948 - 1993); the Directory of Mines and Quarries (1984 onwards) and the BGS Geology 50 (Geological mapping at 1:50,000 scale). The BritPits version 4 dataset is processed following the instruction provided in document ‘BGS BritPits version 3 Methodology Report’ Internal Report: IR/24/026
Raw data from unpublished sintering experiments
Raw mechanical data from currently unpublished sintering experiments using glass beads in a triaxial pressure vessel as well as porosity, permeability results of sintering under constant (uniaxial) load. These experiments will be submitted for publication in the future. All data were collected from 2021 onwards and analysed at LMU Munich. Synthetic glass bead samples are sintered to a target porosity in a furnace to make uniform (homogeneous) porous glass samples, before being cooled, measured for porosity and permeability and then placed in a furnace either: 1) in a uniaxial press; or 2) a triaxial pressure vessel. In 1) a constant load is applied for 3 or 5h; In 2) a hydrostatic or deviatoric stress is applied for variable amount of time while the permeability evolution is constantly measured. These experiments impart physical changes to the porous samples. All samples porosity and permeability (using constant flow rate and nitrogen as a permeating fluid) are also measured post-experiment. Sintered glass beads act as an analogue for magmas. Understanding the evolution of transient porous network in magmas is key to understanding pore pressure evolution in volcanic conduits, which controls effusive-explosive transitions
Synthetic glass bead samples are sintered to a target porosity in a furnace to make uniform (homogeneous) porous glass samples, before being cooled, measured for porosity and permeability and then placed in a furnace either: 1) in a uniaxial press; or 2) a triaxial pressure vessel. In 1) a constant load is applied for 3 or 5h; In 2) a hydrostatic or deviatoric stress is applied for variable amount of time while the permeability evolution is constantly measured. These experiments impart physical changes to the porous samples. All samples porosity and permeability (using constant flow rate and nitrogen as a permeating fluid) are also measured post-experiment.