dataset · United Kingdom

BGS Superficial Deposits Thickness Model 1 km hex grid

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 underpinn

Visit source ↗

Source details

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: 29.5

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 (Quaternary) deposit thickness, average per 1 km hex cell · superficial (Quaternary) deposit thickness, maximum per 1 km hex cell · coverage information for the underpinning data
Coverage docs-verified: Great Britain
Resolution docs-verified: 1 km hexagon cells (side length 1 km, c. 2.6 km2 per cell)
Update frequency docs-verified: as needed
Access docs-verified: No authentication listed in entry. Reuse restricted: copyright vested in NERC; reproduction requires prior permission of the copyright holder via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Regional superficial thickness screening for ground investigation scoping on GB desk studies · Preliminary foundation and earthworks risk context for civils feasibility reports · Regional drainage and SuDS infiltration screening where superficial cover thickness matters · GIS overlay of superficial thickness with site boundaries for geotechnical desk study mapping
Audience llm-inferred: geotechnical engineers · civils engineers · hydrologists · GIS analysts · planners

Limitations

Constraints llm-inferred: Covers Great Britain landmass per docs; Northern Ireland not covered, though the catalogue region lists United Kingdom · Derived from the BGS Basic Superficial Thickness Model, first published 2010; dataset reference date 2017-10 · Cell statistics (average and maximum) at 1 km; finer 50 m model detail is not in this product · Covers superficial (Quaternary) deposits only, not bedrock · Coverage details of the underpinning data are referenced but not described in the docs · Use is at the customer's own risk; NERC gives no warranty on accuracy or suitability

Evidence

Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.