dataset · United Kingdom
BGS Superficial Deposits Thickness Model (SDTM) Web service
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 prese
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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: 37.2
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 deposits thickness, mean per 1 km hexagon · superficial deposits thickness, maximum per 1 km hexagon
- Coverage docs-verified
- United Kingdom (bounding extent: latitude 49.85 to 60.88, longitude -8.65 to 1.78)
- Resolution docs-verified
- 1 km hexagonal grid (per-hexagon mean and maximum thickness)
- Update frequency docs-verified
- as needed (metadata: asNeeded)
- Access docs-verified
- Free, no authentication listed; licence Open Government Licence per dataset summary, subject to BGS/NERC access constraints on reproduction and transmission
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Preliminary superficial deposit thickness screening for ground investigation scoping · Drainage and SuDS infiltration feasibility context using superficial thickness per 1 km hexagon · Regional geotechnical desk study overview of superficial cover thickness · GIS overlay of superficial thickness as a planning-stage ground constraint layer
- Audience llm-inferred
- geotechnical engineers · drainage engineers · hydrologists · GIS analysts · planners
Limitations
- Constraints docs-verified
- Generic 1 m thickness is applied wherever superficial material is present but unproven by boreholes (shown grey on the map) · Only two layers (mean and maximum per hexagon) from the SDTM 1 km hex grid are included in this service · Copyright is vested in NERC; reproduction or transmission requires prior permission of the copyright holder · NERC and BGS give no warranty as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied
Evidence
- https://arcgis.bgs.ac.uk/arcgis/services/SDDS/BGS_SDTM/MapServer/WMSServer?service=WMS&request=GetCapabilities&
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/6f4456b1-0e93-41ec-8b47-2f7770efce18/bgs-superficial-deposits-thickness-model-sdtm-web-service
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.