dataset · United Kingdom
BGS Geology 50k Superficial version 9
Data identifying landscape areas (shown as polygons) attributed with geological names and rock type descriptions. The data is presented at 1:50 000 scale. Onshore coverage is provided for England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Approximately 99% coverage is available and BGS is committed to completing the coverage, and ongoing updates as part of its ongoing national survey. Superficial deposits are the youngest geological deposits formed during the most recent period of geological time, th
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Licence: ["The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in an
Evidence quality: 43.4
Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).
Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z
What's in it
- Data offered docs-verified
- superficial geology polygons (landscape areas) · geological names per polygon · rock type descriptions · deposit type attribution per BGS Rock Classification Scheme
- Coverage docs-verified
- Onshore England, Scotland, Wales and Isle of Man; approx. 99% coverage available
- Resolution docs-verified
- 1:50 000 scale
- Update frequency docs-verified
- as needed (ongoing national survey updates)
- Formats docs-verified
- ESRI shapefile (vector)
- Access docs-verified
- Download via data.gov.uk; BGS data licence (NERC copyright, reproduction requires prior permission from copyright holder); no authentication listed
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Superficial ground conditions baseline for FRA and drainage strategy desk studies · Infiltration/SuDS suitability screening by superficial deposit type · Ground model input for geotechnical desk studies · Map overlay for hydrogeology and flood-risk context in site investigations
- Audience llm-inferred
- flood consultants · drainage engineers · geotechnical engineers · hydrologists · GIS analysts · planners
Limitations
- Constraints llm-inferred
- Approx. 99% coverage only, not complete · Licence restricts reproduction and redistribution without BGS permission · 1:50 000 scale is not suited to site-scale detail · Update frequency is as needed, with no fixed schedule · No warranty on accuracy or suitability; use at own risk
Evidence
- https://www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-geology-50k-digmapgb/
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/be0a05aa-eb86-4dd0-9dcf-6d6968a0172c/bgs-geology-50k-superficial-version-9
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.