A superficial thickness model covering England Scotland and Wales. The model is derived by direct modelling (natural neighbour interpolation) of BGS Borehole records and BGS Digmap. For the purposes of modelling, superficial deposits include sediments deposited during the Quaternary, subsequent Holocene rivers and coastal systems and also modern anthropogenic material. i.e. deposits that are less than 2.6 million years old. Grids are overprinted with a minimum value so that areas where no bore data is present, but superficial deposits are known to occur are given a minimum 1.5m thickness. The superficial thickness model has been created as baseline datasets for the BGS Information Products programme. The model provides only a simple, mathematical interpretation of reality with some phantom points that improve the model mainly in valley areas where lack of data was given different results as those expected by a geological interpretation of the area. The complexity of Superficial deposits in Great Britain is such that it is only possible to model indicative values of thickness and elevation. The models should never be used as a substitute for thorough site investigation.

This Web service provides layers which are part of the BGS Superficial Deposits Thickness Model (SDTM) series of datasets. It currently includes two layers from the STDM 1 km hex grid dataset, which is available under the Open Government Licence. These two layers are symbolised on the mean and maximum values of the BSTM thickness model within the area of each hexagon. In these two layers, note that the data include a generic value of 1 m thickness for any area where superficial material is present, but is unproven by boreholes (shown on the map by a grey colour).

A series of tiled models of superficial thickness covering the UK. The models are derived by direct modelling (natural neighbour interpolation) of BGS borehole records and BGS DiGMapGB-50. For the purposes of modelling, superficial deposits include sediments deposited during the Quaternary, subsequent Holocene rivers and coastal systems and also modern anthropogenic material, i.e. deposits that are less than 2.6 million years old. The 50 m x 50 m grids are overprinted with a minimum value so that areas where no bore data is present, but drift is known to occur, are given a minimum 1.5 m thickness. The superficial thickness models have been created as baseline datasets for the BGS Geohazard programme. They represent the first attempt by BGS to create nationwide models of such data and the models provide only a simple, mathematical interpretation of reality. The complexity of superficial deposits in Great Britain is such that it is only possible to model indicative values of thickness and elevation. The models should never be used as a substitute for thorough site investigation. The SDTM comprises three individual datasets; two datasets describe thickness variation and a third dataset details 'proximity' of the modelled data to the original source information. 1. The ASTM (Advanced Superficial Thickness Model) is a model of thickness variation indirectly derived from archive borehole records and map data. 2. The BSTM (Basic Superficial Thickness Model) is a model of thickness variation directly derived from archive borehole records. 3. The DBUFF (distance buffer) dataset is a calculation of spatial distance to the location of any data point used in the model. This provides the user with an indication as to how far the computer has had to interpolate and extrapolate the data from a measured observation point. For more information, refer to the user guide: The National Superficial Deposit Thickness Model (version 5). BGS Open Report OR/09/49. https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/data/publications/publication.html?id=19867430

This dataset shows the variation of the thickness of superficial (Quaternary age) deposits across Great Britain. The data are presented as a vector map of interlocking hexagon cells (side length 1 km, area c. 2.6 km2) covering the landmass of Great Britain as a regular grid. Each hexagon cell is attributed with statistics about the thickness of the underlying Quaternary units (average thickness and maximum thickness) for that cell. Additional information relating to the coverage of the underpinning data is also provided. The data are derived from the BGS Basic Superficial Thickness Model (BSTM). The data is all derived by spatially summarising the information within the BGS Basic Superficial Thickness Model (BSTM), which is a 50 m cell size raster model of superficial thickness, first published in 2010.

The Superficial Aquifer Productivity Scotland dataset forms part of the BGS Hydrogeological Maps of Scotland data product. This product is comprised of three datasets: Bedrock Aquifer Productivity Scotland; Superficial Aquifer Productivity Scotland; and Groundwater Vulnerability Scotland. Aquifer productivity is a measure of the potential of aquifers to sustain a borehole water supply. The Superficial Aquifer Productivity Scotland dataset version 2 (2015) indicates the location and productivity of superficial aquifers across Scotland, and their groundwater flow characteristics. Developed as a tool to support groundwater resource management, the dataset provides a guide to aquifer characteristics at a regional scale, and may be useful to anyone interested in learning more about, assessing or managing groundwater resources across Scotland. The dataset is delivered at 1: 100 000 scale; the resolution of the dataset being 50 m and the smallest detectable feature 100 m.

This Web service provides layers containing data from the BGS Geology 625k (DiGMapGB-625) dataset. BGS Geology 625k provides small-scale (1:625 000 scale) bedrock and superficial geology mapping for use at a regional and national level. The bedrock and superficial data are symbolised by lithology and lithostratigraphy, and a bedrock age layer is also provided for the bedrock layer. Additional linear features (faults) and dykes layers are provided for use in conjunction with the bedrock layer. For more information about the digital maps available from the British Geological Survey, please visit https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geological-data/. The data are provided through this service for view and download under the Open Government Licence.

The BGS Seabed Geology: Offshore East Anglia digital map provides detailed and accurate characterisation of the seabed geology, based on seabed and shallow-subsurface data. This dataset incorporates three complementary map components (Substrate Geology, Structural Geology, and Geomorphology), provided as discrete layers for viewing within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The bedrock geology of the mapped area comprises Cretaceous age Chalk Group sedimentary rocks. These rocks crop out extensively at seabed across the southern and central parts of the dataset forming an extensive bedrock platform and Europe’s largest known offshore chalk reef. This reef has been designated the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) owing to the range of unique floral and faunal habitats that it supports. The Chalk Group is covered across the central (partly) and southern parts of the dataset by natural superficial deposits that accreted during the Quaternary. These include preglacial delta bottom-set (Westkapelle Ground Formation) and delta top-set (Yarmouth Roads Formation); and glacial sediments and landforms that were deposited and formed during at least two separate phases of glaciation that inundated parts of the southern North Sea and adjacent East Anglia during the Middle Pleistocene (Anglian / Elsterian) and Late Pleistocene (Late Devensian / Late Weichselian). Collective geological evidence includes extensive areas of out-cropping subglacial till; the presence of largely concealed and infilled over-deepened (>100 m deep) subglacial tunnel valleys, ice-marginal moraines, and a glacially disrupted chalk surface that includes the development of incised meltwater channels, detached and transported glacitectonic bedrock rafts and megablocks. Post-glacial environments from the Late-Pleistocene – Holocene (prior to marine inundation) included fluvial and estuarine deposition, that together with variable infill of late-glacial valleys are included within the Botney Cut Formation. Holocene marine transgression flooded the region, with shallow marine sedimentation active through modern times resulting in the variable cover of unconsolidated marine sediments, as well as the distribution of extensive current-induced bedforms, e.g., sediment banks, sediment waves and fields of mega ripples which are recorded within the Seabed Geomorphology dataset. Each theme is provided as distinct layers for viewing within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The “Substrate Geology” layer shows the distribution of bedrock and unlithified superficial deposits present at the seabed (below a thin veneer of seabed sediments, ‘one-metre principle’ described below) as a series of polygons; The “Structural Geology” layer represents the structural features observed at rockhead as a polylines layer, and “Geomorphology” theme consists of points, polylines, and polygons layers to portray the main seabed morphological and geomorphological features.

The BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Bristol Channel v.2 digital map provides detailed and accurate characterisation of the seabed geology, based on seabed and shallow-subsurface data. This dataset incorporates three complementary map components (Substrate Geology, Structural Geology, and Geomorphology) presented at 1:10 000 scale, provided as discrete layers for viewing within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The bedrock geology is divided into 23 stratigraphical units: Aber Mawr Shale Formation (ABM); Avon Group (AVO); Bridport Sand Formation (BDS); Bishopston Mudstone Formation (BISHM); Charmouth Mudstone Formation (CHAM); Carboniferous Limestone Supergroup (CL); Devonian And Carboniferous Rocks (Undifferentiated) (DEVC); Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated) (DEV); Dyrham Formation And Beacon Limestone Formation (Undifferentiated) (DYBN); Hangman Sandstone Formation (HASA); Inferior Oolite Group (INO); Lias Group (LI); Ludlow Rocks (Undifferentiated) (LUDL); Lavernock Shale Member (LVN); Milford Haven Subgroup (MIH); Mercia Mudstone Group (MMG); Pembroke Limestone Group (PEMB); Penarth Group (PNG); Porthkerry Member (PO); Skrinkle Sandstones Subgroup (SES); St Mary's Well Bay Member (STM); South Wales Lower Coal Measures Group (SWLCM); Triassic Rocks (Undifferentiated) (TRIA). The Lexicon code of the stratigraphical units is provided in parentheses, as defined in the ‘BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units’. The superficial deposits mapped are comprised of only marine sediments (Marine Deposits Undifferentiated (MDU)) that were classified based on their grain size. The sediments are divided into Gravel (V): Sand (S); Mud (M); Sand and Gravel (XSV); Sand and Mud (XSM); and Gravel, Sand and Mud (XVSM). The RCS code of the stratigraphical units is provided in parentheses, as defined in the ‘BGS Rock Classification Scheme’.

3D geology models have been created for London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Liverpool and Gateshead. Users can create geological cross-sections, synthetic boreholes and horizontal slices through the 3D models. Underpinned by BGS geological data and expertise, the models and reports provide an enhanced understanding of the geological structures and sediments for urban practitioners to inform construction projects, infrastructure design, groundwater assessments and land use planning. These models cover depths from +300 m OD (Ordnance Datum) to -600 m OD. The models which cover Liverpool and London include superficial and bedrock units. The models which cover Glasgow and Cardiff include superficial units on an undifferentiated bedrock base model. The Gateshead Model includes undifferentiated superficial deposits on a bedrock model, but the Superficial Deposits top layer shows the hydro domains map produced for Project Groundwater Northumbria. The models were constructed in the National Geological Model, Urban Geoscience programmes and Project Groundwater Northumbria between 2008-2025 in GSI3D, Groundhog and ASPEN SKUA for deployment to the web viewer. These datasets are managed by the 3D GeoModel project (National Geoscience).

Note: This dataset is designed for the 1:50000 scale but can be viewed in this WMS between 1:100000 and 1:25000 (Only). The 1:50 000 DiGMapGB data covering the whole of the United Kingdom is available in this OGC WMS service for your personal, non-commercial use only. Separate bedrock geology, superficial deposits, artificial ground, mass movement deposits and geological linear features layers are available in this service. For information about more of the British Geological Survey's maps that are available digitally please visit https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geological-data/.