This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) providex an index to 17,500 borehole rock samples (drillcore) from the Mineral Reconnaissance Programme (MRP) and related studies. The UK Government's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funded BGS to provide baseline information on areas prospective for the occurrence of metallic minerals in Great Britain. This programme, known as the MRP, ran continuously from 1973 to 1997 and covered particular locations across Great Britain. It was designed to stimulate private sector exploration and to encourage the development of Britain's indigenous mineral resources. Under the programme a number of boreholes were drilled to gather information.

The map shows the location and names of boreholes with digital geophysical logs acquired by the former National Coal Board and British Coal during their exploration for coal in the UK. Ownership of UK coal exploration data was transferred to the Coal Authority (Coal Authority) following privatisation of the UK coal industry. The Coal Authority have appointed the British Geological Survey as custodian of this important national geological data archive. These data are in general publicly available; however, access to data within active mining licences is restricted in that it requires the consent of the mining licensee. The Coal Authority data archive includes digital data for some of the geophysical borehole logging. These are mainly in the form of original field tapes; however, also available are some data transcribed onto more modern media during BGS projects. The BGS will be pleased to provide information on data availability for named boreholes or within specified geographic areas, together with cost estimates and options for supplying copies.

Profile soil analyses are available from a number of BGS programmes, notably the Mineral Reconnaissance Programme (MRP) and the Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE) programme. Sampling depth and range of analytes determined is very variable for the MRP. G-BASE samples are consistently from 35 - 50 cm though since 2003 it has become routine practice in the G-BASE project to collect a top soil and deeper profile sample from the same site but only analyses the top soil and store the profile soil. This also applies in urban areas. The G-BASE profile soils were generally sieved to 150 microns before analysis and determined by XRFS for some or all of: Mg, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, V, Cr, Co, Ba, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pb, Bi, Th, U, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, La, Ce, Ge, Sc, Se, Br, Hf, Ta, W, Tl, Te and I. MRP samples can include profile samples from greater than 1 meter collected using a power auger and also include till samples. The G-BASE samples are collected at a density of 1 sample per two square kilometres in rural areas and 4 samples every kilometre square in urban areas. MRP sampling was more site specific generally collecting soil samples along lines at spacing intervals generally 25 - 250 m.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the availability of 1:50000 series geological maps. For England and Wales (and Northern Ireland), map sheets normally cover an area 30 km east-west and 20 km north-south; in Scotland the coverage is 20 km east-west and 30 km north-south. The 1:50 000 geological map grids are based on an early Ordnance Survey 1:63 360 (one inch to one mile) scale map grid and are not related to the current Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 map sheets. Maps are normally available in both flat and folded formats.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows where river floodplains and coastal plains in Britain are located and therefore the main areas at greatest risk of flooding. The map shows areas vulnerable to two main types of flooding: inland (river floodplains) and coastal/estuarine and is therefore a key tool in identifying those areas most vulnerable from future flooding. The map is based on observation of the types of geological deposit present and does not take into account any man-made influences such as house building or flood protection schemes. It also does not take into account low-lying areas where flooding could occur but where there are no materials indicating flooding in the geological past. The BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding data should therefore be regarded as complementary to, but not a replacement for, existing Environment Agency flood risk maps. The BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding (GIF) dataset is a digital map based on the BGS Digital Geological Map of Great Britain at the 1:50,000 scale.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location of available Mineral Assessment Reports, the information for the index has been taken from the BGS UK Sand and Gravel Database. Each report studied the sand and gravel resources of an area of between one hundred and two hundred square kilometres. This layer shows individual polygons of the geographical areas covered by each report. Selecting the individual polygons via the map based index (GeoIndex) application gives details of the corresponding report title, number, author(s), subtitle and the date report was first published. The Department of the Environment commissioned this Report series from the British Geological Survey.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows where aquifer vulnerability maps are available for England and Wales. These maps identify areas in which the groundwater resources require protection from potentially polluting activities. The maps are designed to be used by planners, developers, consultants and regulatory bodies to ensure that developments conform to the Policy and Practice of the Environment Agency for the protection of Groundwater. The Soil Survey, Land Research Centre and the British Geological Survey were commissioned by the Environment Agency to prepare 53 groundwater vulnerability maps at 1:100,000 scale. Currently we are unable to provide scanned copies of these maps due to Copyright restrictions. Please note that these maps are based on data from the late 1980's and early 1990's. More up-to-date digital data may now be available from the Environment Agency.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location of land and marine gravity observations on the UK mainland, Northern Ireland, offshore islands, tidal estuaries and seabed. Most of the surveys were carried out by the BGS but the database includes data originally acquired by other organisations and subsequently given to the BGS to be managed as part of the national archive. Complete coverage of the UK mainland with a station density of 1-2 stations per square kilometre. Unadjusted ship gravity, magnetic and bathymetry data acquired by BGS as part of its Offshore Reconnaisance Mapping Programme. Unadjusted ship gravity, magnetic and bathymetry data acquired by BGS as part of its Offshore Reconnaisance Mapping Programme. This programme commenced in 1967, and was funded mainly by the Department of Energy. Marine gravity readings are from unadjusted ship gravity and bathymetry data from various commercial and academic surveys between 1965 and 1994. Confidential M.O.D Hydrographic Office integrated ship gravity and magnetics surveys of NW Europe marine areas for which BGS acts as agent. Network adjusted gravity and magnetic compilations of data from BGS and non-BGS sources.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location of waste sites within England and Wales. The information is taken from an index listing of some 3500 waste sites in England and Wales identified by BGS as part of a survey carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment in 1973. The index has been corrected and updated to a limited extent, but the data itself has not been changed. The data was collected in 1972 and the information reflects the knowledge at that time. It does not reflect current interpretation. Not all authorities made returns and there are not records for all of the sites listed. However, the data is an invaluable source of information about pre-1974 sites. The records themselves contain interpretations of the geology, ground and surface water risk assessments and information about the quantities and types of waste. Data visible at all map scales.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows satellite data at different resolutions depending on the current map scale. At small scales, it is shown in generalised form with each pixel covering 300 metres, and at larger scales it is shown at its actual resolution of 30 metres. The satellite imagery in GeoIndex was acquired by the Landsat Thematic Mapper sensor between 1984 and 1990. The imagery has been processed by the BGS Remote Sensing Section to increase contrast and thus enhance natural boundaries. Winter imagery was chosen due to the low sun angle, which enables geomorphic features on the landscape to be distinguished and interpreted. The colours in the image are not what one would normally expect to see because we have used infrared wavelengths to help us extract more geological information than would be possible if we had used visible bands. To create a single image of the whole country, many smaller images covering different rectangular areas and taken at different dates have been patched together. This will in some cases produce marked changes where the smaller images meet and is due to the different conditions when the images were taken.