BGS and University of Nottingham PhD student Paulina Baranowska shares her 'invaluable' experience presenting her research on nuclear forensics at her first international conference, located in Hawai’i. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/marc-co...

We're at the festival of Tomorrow in Swindon this weekend! We'll be talking about the 'Goldilocks Zone' - geological super regions that are ‘just right’ to host multiple energy-transition technologies in the UK. Visit our stand at the Deanery Academy: www.festivaloftomorrow.com/the-festival...

We're at Materials Research Exchange this week, come and visit us in the @innovateuk.bsky.social podium area. We're interested in chatting to stakeholders and new contacts about our critical minerals research, as well as BGS' wider science focus, and potential collaboration opportunities. #MRE2026

The identification of a 'smiling' object found on Holy Island in Northumberland has been confirmed by BGS senior paleontologist Jan Hennissen. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It's one month until the Sands of Change conference where global experts will explore the legal, environmental & management challenges of sand, the second most utilised resource on Earth. The event will take place at Burlington House in London & online: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sands-of-c...

BGS’ data scientists have generated a summary map of the most commonly extracted mineral commodities by local authority area. This data will be of use to organisations with an interest in the location of mineral extraction sites and their possible after-use. More: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/map-of-...

📢 Deadline: 20 Feb The IEA Geothermal Mine Water Energy Symposium is back in April 2026. We are currently welcoming oral presentations, nano presentations and posters. Deadline for submissions is 4 pm UK this Friday. Learn more & apply at lnkd.in/eCpkNStv

We're at the Nottingham Festival of Science & Curiosity today! Pop on over to Kirkby-in-Ashfield library as we show you how landslides work with our live demonstrations! Entry is free. #NFSC26

Quaternary UK offshore data digitised for the first time. The dataset will help users, particularly those in the offshore renewables sector, and can be used for reference when completing site investigations. Learn more: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/quatern...

Why have there been so many earthquakes in the UK this year? BGS seismologist Callum Harrison jumped onto the Fun Kids Science Weekly Live podcast to explain. Grab a cuppa and listen in with your kids here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jLC...

Happy Galena-tines! Rhodochrosite with Galena, Sphalerite and Chalcopyrite. When hit, Galena will break along three directions of weakness that meet at right angles, creating smaller cubes. Galena’s hardness is similar to that of a fingernail.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the 🌍️ The UK alone has over 800 million unused electrics stashed away in homes. A new BGS project will investigate the use of technology metals in everyday electrical items, highlighting the potential for recovering them. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/funding...

BGS is part of an international team that has discovered the 1st detailed evidence of long-suspected, hidden, freshwater aquifers. The discovery comes from analyses of cores recovered during an International Ocean Drilling Programme off the coast of New England. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/extensi...

Cliffs might seem strong and safe but they can provide many hazards. Storms, prolonged periods of wet weather, cold snaps and heatwaves can trigger landslides. Check the image below to see if you can spot the cliff-based hazards in this scene. Answers here: www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-...

Did you know that Olympic curling stones come from just one tiny island in Scotland? Granite from Ailsa Craig has been used to make Olympic curling stones since 1924. Below, you can see a thin section in cross polarised light. Learn about the stones: britgeoheritage.blogspot.com/2014/02/gran...

Can sandstones under the North Sea unlock the UK’s carbon storage potential? The Central North Sea represents around 60% of the UK's theoretical carbon storage capacity, yet of the licenced capacity, less than 5% is located there. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/can-san...

We're looking for an experienced contracts manager to provide expert legal knowledge to support our commercial research activity and help facilitate major geoscientific research. You'll be based at our Nottinghamshire HQ. Apply here: fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

BGS have launched a premium range of mounted display maps, for customers in search of a quality display piece. You can select from the national coverage maps, or for more detailed geological info you can request from the 1:50 000 & 1:25 000 scale regional flat maps. shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Categor...

Sand is the most valuable commodity on earth, however it faces huge legal and environmental challenges. On 18 March, join us at @geolsoc.bsky.social as we explore the huge global challenge of sand mining. Sign up for the event here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sands-of-c...

This March we're holding another Primary Teacher CPD session at our Nottinghamshire HQ. The free session will guide you through everything you need to know to teach rocks, fossils and soils to your KS2 classes. Places are limited so book early! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/primary-sc...

Former non-coal mine workings, particularly where shallow, may collapse and cause & cause surface settlement. The mining hazard (not coal) dataset provides a subsidence hazard assessment for those looking to identify & mitigate potential ground instability hazards. www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/min...

Did you see the Aurora displays this week? If so we'd love to see your photos! Thanks to Karl Thurlow for sharing these images with us, taken in Aviemore on Tuesday. Did you know BGS monitor geomagnetic activity and have an alert service? please visit: geomag.bgs.ac.uk/education/cu...

Dr Kathryn Goodenough is a Principal Geologist and International Lead at BGS in Edinburgh, where she has worked since 2001. Her work focuses around the geology, resources and wider supply chains of critical raw materials that are essential for the energy transition.

The National Geological Repository is a @ukri.org national science facility and the largest collection of geoscience samples from the UK. Its collections help drive natural resource exploration, support business growth and improve subsurface risk investigations. www.bgs.ac.uk/geological-d...

We were delighted to host Prof Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of @ukri.org along with a delegation of UKRI & NERC colleagues at Keyworth today. Sir Ian was given a tour of our facilities & met with staff to learn more about how BGS research is underpinning the Government’s growth agenda.

Quaternary UK offshore data digitised for the first time. The dataset will help users, particularly those in the offshore renewables sector, and can be used for reference when completing site investigations. Learn more: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/quatern...

Join us at the RIA on 29 Jan for the 2026 GSI Geoscience Lecture: ‘Why does net zero need geoscience?’ Delivered by Karen Hanghøj, Director of the @bgs.ac.uk the lecture will explore the role of minerals and metals in the energy transition. Book your tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/royal...

🚨 Aurora alert! 🚨 A geomagnetic storm is expected over the next 48 hours due to the expected arrival of a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on 18th January. View the full forecast: geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service... 📷 Aurora borealis over Aviemore - credit: J Orsi

Sand is one of the most important industrial raw materials on the planet. At the Sands of Change conference on 18 March world-experts will address the legal, environmental and management challenges of sand. Book your tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sands-of-c...

A fault line running under Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has the potential to release a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. BGS geoscientist @ekbal.bsky.social & partners spoke with @geographical.co.uk about the fault line what the impact of the quake could be. geographical.co.uk/news/how-a-f...

Today we hosted @mike-reader.bsky.social at our Nottinghamshire headquarters. We showed Mike how BGS receives, delivers and uses ground investigation and borehole data to support decision making and reduce risks in construction and infrastructure development before taking him on a tour of the site.

Seismologists at BGS have published data on the number of seismic events over the past 12 months. With over 300 earthquakes recorded, data shows 2025 was an above average year for earthquakes across the UK. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/perth-a...

Did you miss out on all the geological news over the festive period? Our newsletter is here to get you back up-to-date: BGS scientists gain access to 'once in a lifetime' core A major update to our mapping data Using AI to forecast earthquakes Catch up here: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKB...

Hiding from the bad weather? Make a volcano instead! Our free-to-download models help to explain some of the key features of volcanoes & explain how volcanic rocks can be important natural resources for construction. The activity is suitable for kids & big kids! www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-...

Geologists at BGS have completed a major update to the geological map of the Yorkshire Wolds that will help to improve regional understanding of both the aquifer and the groundwater resources, and may assist in reducing risks to specific water supply assets. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/new-geo...

The National Geological Repository is the UK’s most comprehensive collection of geological materials, consisting of over 16 million specimens. Over the last 20 years, the NGR has saved major energy and infrastructure projects £1.5 billion. For more information, visit: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/new-stu...

Soil reference materials (RMs) are critical to ensuring the accuracy & consistency of analytical results. BGS has produced 10 new soil RMs, to offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional certified reference materials, while maintaining confidence in data. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/suite-o...

📢 PhD opportunity: deadline 12 Jan We're inviting applications for a fully funded PhD to investigate how land-use change affects the UK water cycle using national-scale models. Apply: blogs.reading.ac.uk/crocus-dla/h...

It's the last 'find the geological hammer' of the season! Today the hammer is hiding amongst the crew onboard IODP³-NSF Expedition 501. The expedition explored beneath the ocean floor of the New England Shelf for the 1st time in search of freshened water. Learn more: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/iodp3-n...

Happy New Year from all of us at BGS! Here’s a little mineralogical colour to start 2026. 🤩 📸 Polarised light interacting with a thin section of spodumene-bearing pegmatite from Kamativi, Zimbabwe.

Can you find the geological hammer on this geological hike? In summer keen walkers in Yorkshire combined a stroll with a BGS mapping tour. We run various outdoor talks and events around the year - keep your eye on our socials to find one near you!

Perth and Kinross tops the UK’s earthquake activity charts for 2025 Seismologists at BGS have published data on the number of seismic events over the past 12 months with over 300 earthquakes recorded. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/perth-a...

Today’s geological hammer photo was taken in Zambia. This year the first guide to Zambia’s critical minerals, highlighting the country’s current & potential critical mineral resources was published. Read the guide here: nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/53... Spot the hammer below.

With space at a premium and the advance of new digitisation techniques, why does retaining over 600 km of physical rock core remain of national importance? Follow the link to find out: www.bgs.ac.uk/news/why-do-...

The amazing bat excrement sculpting Borneo’s hidden caves 🦇 BGS researchers have delved into Borneo’s underworld to learn more about how guano deposited by bats and cave-dwelling birds is shaping the subsurface. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/hole-y-...

Wishing you all a rocking festive period full of warmth, joy and a stocking full of (non-coal) geological goodies!

STOP! (find the geological) hammer time! Today, the hammer is hiding in the Mineral Resource dataset, which shows areas where potentially workable minerals may occur in England, Wales and the central belt of Scotland. Learn more about it here: www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs...

New research shows artificial intelligence earthquake tools forecast aftershock risk in seconds. The rapid forecasts produced by these tools could help authorities with decision making about public safety measures and resource allocation in disaster-hit areas. www.bgs.ac.uk/news/new-res...

📢 PhD Opportunity: Mineralogical and geochemical controls on metal leaching efficiency in laterite ores using eco-friendly solvents Passionate about critical minerals and sustainable technologies? Join us in shaping the future of metal extraction! Apply: target.le.ac.uk Deadline: 7 January 2026

It's our favourite time of the year: Guess the Geological Hammer time! Today, the hammer is hidden at our Eskdalemuir meteorological station where we undertake research on space weather, which we study to extend our knowledge of geomagnetic hazards and their effects.