dataset · United Kingdom
Geological interpreted superficial deposits thickness models version 2.1, GI_SDTM v2.1
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 d
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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: 49.1
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 model (grid)
- Coverage docs-verified
- England, Scotland and Wales
- Update frequency docs-verified
- biannually
- Access llm-inferred
- Free download from data.gov.uk (no API key or auth stated). Site footer states Open Government Licence v3.0, but BGS/NERC access constraints restrict reproduction without permission.
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Desk-study screening of superficial deposit thickness for ground model and earthworks risk before site investigation · Indicative drift thickness inputs for groundwater or flood risk assessments in valley floors · Early-stage foundation and civils risk screening across England, Scotland and Wales
- Audience llm-inferred
- geotechnical engineers · hydrogeologists · civils engineers · GIS analysts · environmental consultants
Limitations
- Constraints docs-verified
- Indicative values only; the model is a simple mathematical interpretation with some phantom points, especially in valley areas · Where no borehole data exists, grids are overprinted with a minimum 1.5m thickness · Not a substitute for site investigation · No warranty of accuracy or suitability is given by BGS or NERC · Reproduction or transmission requires prior permission of the copyright holder (NERC) under the stated access constraints
Evidence
- https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geological-data/datasets/?tax_topic=geology&tax_purpose=all&tax_area=all&sterm=Superficial+thickness&order=asc#reset
- https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/a585bf3d-a464-47a6-a4cf-196696781fe3/geological-interpreted-superficial-deposits-thickness-models-version-2-1-gi_sdtm-v2-1
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.