New hazard maps set to help safeguard UK offshore energy industry

British Geological Survey sent this bulletin at 26-09-2024 10:45 AM BST

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BGS Latest News
Sample of the new offshore seismic hazard map: peak ground acceleration (PGA) on rock for a 2475-year return period.

New hazard maps set to help safeguard UK offshore energy industry

Enhanced mapping of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is being made available to the public for the first time, providing greater insight into the occurrence of earthquake hazard across an area of seabed that the country holds exclusive rights to, including those for energy production.

The updated modelling from BGS comes at a time when the UK is seeking to bolster its offshore renewable energy infrastructure and meet its net zero commitments. The project was funded by the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) alongside project partners Storegga.
Flooding in Eddleston, Scottish Borders. It is a rainy day and there is water all around, covering a lot of grass.

New £38 million project to reduce the impact of floods and droughts

Extreme weather events are projected to become more common in the UK, costing an estimated £750 million per year. The new infrastructure project will enhance the UK’s resilience to floods and droughts and will include open-air laboratories across the UK and a large-scale, live environmental data bank.
James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe with BGS staff members, in the National Geological Repository.

Local MP checks in on development of new ‘living laboratory’ in Nottinghamshire

MP for Rushcliffe, James Naish, visited our Nottinghamshire HQ to look at the ongoing installation work for our state-of-the-art geothermal 'living laboratory'.

In other news

Prof Neil Hyatt giving a lecture. He is one of the new appointments

New appointments to BGS Science Advisory Committee

We are delighted to announce several new appointments to the BGS Science Advisory Committee (SAC), the body that advises on the development and delivery of our public-good science. The appointments mark the latest step in the ongoing delivery of BGS’s essential geological expertise.
Prof Alan MacDonald

The solar pump revolution could bring water to millions of Africans but it must be sustainable and fair

BGS head of groundwater, Prof Alan MacDonald, was featured in the Guardian this month, exploring the potential for solar power to transform water security in Africa.
Visitors from the Indonesian Embassy and BGS staff standing in front of a stone outside of the BGS headquarters.

Indonesian Embassy representatives visit BGS

The visit strengthened BGS/Indonesian scientific research partnerships that address the complex challenges Indonesia faces from natural hazards and maximise opportunities from mineral resources and geothermal energy.
Photo by John Schnobrich via Unsplash

BGS offers work experience for students

Through this special virtual work experience initiative, students will explore key concepts, industry insights and practical skills that will prepare them for a future in geosciences. The programme will run from now until April 2025.
The Atlantic coastline from the hotel in The Gambia. A beautiful sunset is on display. Palm trees can be seen in the background.

Mining sand sustainably in The Gambia

BGS geologists Tom Bide and Clive Mitchell travelled to The Gambia as part of our ongoing international work aiming to reduce the impact of sand mining.