Results of particle size analysis (PSA) performed on approximately 29,000 seabed sediment samples collected by BGS from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and adjacent deep water areas, mostly using sediment grabs, but also sediment corers on occasions. Measurements were also made on approximately 8,000 downhole sub-samples from shallow cores and boreholes. Data from other UK organisations have also been added to this PSA dataset. The data are held within the National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) as the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Data Archive Centre (DAC) for geology and geophysics. Data are delivered via the 'Offshore samples: particle size analysis data' layer on the BGS GeoIndex.

Results of geotechnical testing carried out, at various depth intervals, on shallow cores or boreholes collected by BGS from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The bulk of the data north of 56N are in digital form and result from testing carried out onboard survey vessels using hand-held test equipment (penetrometers and shear vanes). These values are averaged for each test interval, and are expressed in kilopascals (kPa). There are approximately 6,000 test results in the dataset. Some more detailed test information, in non-digital and report form, is held for selected sites. For most sites where digital data are not available, geological descriptions of core material contain semi-quantitative information on the stiffness of the material. Geotechnical knowledge is required to understand and interpret the results if they are to be used as a basis for engineering studies. Core material is managed as part of the BGS materials collection and is available for examination, testing or subsampling. The data are stored as part of the National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) and the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Data Archive Centre (DAC) for geology and geophysics. Data are delivered via the 'Offshore samples: geotechnical data' layer on the BGS GeoIndex. Reference: Fannin, NGT. (1989) Offshore Investigations 1966-87. British Geological Survey Technical Report WB/89/2, British Geological Survey.

The Marine Photographs Archive held by BGS includes photographs of hydrocarbon well and (non-hydrocarbon) marine boreholes, cores and other samples. There are also photographs of the seabed and survey operations. The photos are primarily for the UKCS (United Kingdom Continental Shelf) and surrounding areas and date from the 1970s onwards. The photographs, which are a mix of prints, negatives and digital are applicable to a wide range of uses including environmental, geotechnical and geological studies. There are also some x-rays of cores.

BGS has drilled almost 600 boreholes to prove seismic interpretations of the marine Quaternary geology and bedrock from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The collection also includes additional third party data and has assisted in the creation of BGS marine geology maps. The boreholes penetrate beneath the sea bed to depths ranging from about 10 m to over 300 m, depending on the target depth or technical problems associated with drilling the borehole. The data include descriptive geological core logs and data which have been captured from these, and in some cases, natural gamma logs. A variety of analyses have been conducted on the core material, such as particle size analysis (PSA), micropalaeontological analysis, geotechnical investigations, palaeomagnetic analysis and age dating. Core material is managed as part of the BGS materials collection and is available for examination and subsampling. The data are stored as part of the National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) and the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Data Archive Centre (DAC) for geology and geophysics. Data are delivered via the BGS GeoIndex. This dataset is covered by multiple layers, split by the type of material or sampling technique, and the type of data. Borehole-type samples (including boreholes, cores and drills), grab-type samples and other sample types are separated, and there is a metadata layer (containing metadata and links to scanned borehole logs) and a geological data layer (containing depth-bounded geological observations and/or measurements) for boreholes, grabs and other sample types. For borehole-type data, a geotechnical layer containing numerical results of geotechnical tests is also provided. Where available, particle size analysis (PSA) and geochemical data are also provided as separate layers. The data are applicable to a wide range of uses including environmental, geotechnical and geological studies. Reference: Fannin, NGT. (1989) Offshore Investigations 1966-87 British Geological Survey Technical Report WB/89/02, British Geological Survey.

The British Geological Survey has collected over 50,000 offshore samples using grabs, dredges and shallow coring devices (to a maximum depth of 6m below the sea bed). The collection also includes additional third party data and has assisted in the creation of BGS marine geology maps. The distribution is variable, but in general there are sample stations spaced approximately every 5 - 10 km across the entire UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), and in some localised areas the sampling density is much higher. The data held include digital data and analogue records (sample data sheets), plus associated physical sample material. Sample data sheets, which have been scanned, contain index information and geological descriptions. They become more detailed from 1983 onwards. Coded geological descriptions were entered on sheets which were subsequently digitized, and this information is available for about 10,000 samples. The data also includes results of analyses such as micropalaeontological examination or age dating. All sample material is managed as part of the BGS materials collection and are available for examination and subsampling. The data are stored within the National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) and Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Data Archive Centre (DAC) for Geology and Geophysics. These geological data are delivered via the BGS GeoIndex. Separate layers are provided for different types of sample: borehole-type samples, grab samples and other equipment types. These layers contain the geological data, and metadata about the samples themselves, as well as links to scanned datasheets and core logs, are provided in separate metadata layers. For some of these samples, particle size analysis (PSA), geochemical and geotechnical data are also available, and these data are provided in separate layers. The data are applicable to a wide range of uses including environmental, geotechnical and geological studies. Reference: Fannin, NGT. (1989) Offshore Investigations 1966-87. British Geological Survey Technical Report WB/89/2, British Geological Survey.

This Web service provides layers which show metadata relating to offshore sample collection and other activities undertaken by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and its predecessors. The layers are point layers which indicate the spatial locations of the samples or activities. This service groups data by the type of sample: borehole-type samples (including boreholes, vibrocorers, piston corers and other types of corer), grab samples and other samples (including dredge samples and cone penetrometer tests). For each sample type, two layers are provided: 1) A summary metadata layer containing details about the sample, the survey or cruise during which it was collected, and additional descriptive information, plus a link to scanned images of sample station datasheets (where available). 2) For samples which have undergone further geological interpretation, a layer which contains geological observations, measurements and interpretations at specific depth intervals. Two additional layers containing the results of particle size analysis (PSA) and geotechnical data (where collected) are also provided.