Leicestershire, June 30, 2015 — An agreement between the British Geological Survey (BGS) and aerial mapping company Bluesky is allowing for a range of geological and geohazard map layers to be made available online at www.blueskymapshop.com.
The eight new layers cover a variety of physical features and hazards, including a nationwide map of groundwater flooding as well as ground stability data, geological indicators of flooding and permeability data. Widely used by developers, planners and environmental consultants, for example, this new data complements the national datasets already on offer, including high resolution aerial photography, detailed height models and Ordnance Survey mapping.
“These datasets are important tools for those making decisions about new developments, including analysis of flood prediction, prevention and management,” commented Bluesky’s Managing Director Rachel Tidmarsh. “They complement data already on offer, including height models, a recently launched flood risk map and our range of free data which includes other data from BGS as well as English Heritage, Natural England and the Environment Agency.”
BGS Geohazard data now available from the Bluesky Mapshop includes the GeoSure Digital Dataset range. Providing geological information about potential ground movement or subsidence that can help planning decisions, the six themes are Collapsible Deposits, Compressible Ground, Landslides, Running Sands, Shrink-Swell and Soluble Rocks – all features which can present a hazard to property.
Five new map products relating to groundwater are also available at www.blueskymapshop. These include the first national hazard dataset for groundwater flooding. Based on geological and hydrogeological information, the 1:50,000 scale digital data can be used to identify areas where geological conditions could enable groundwater flooding to occur, and where groundwater may come close to the ground surface. The Geological Indicators of Flooding shows areas vulnerable to both inland and coastal flooding identified from the geological deposits present. Also available is an Aquifer Designation Map identifying different types of aquifers across England and Wales, and reflecting the importance of aquifers in terms of groundwater as a resource, an Infiltration SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) map, Permeability Data and the WellMaster Hydrogeological Database.
The Geological map layers from BGS that are now available through the Bluesky Mapshop include both the 1:10,000 scale and 1:50, scale DigMapGB digital geological maps of Great Britain. These cover five standard themes: Artifical Ground, Bedrock Geology, Linear Features, Mass Movement Deposits and Superficial Deposits, as well as a composition type. Applications of this data ranges from detailed site assessment through to nationwide studies, dependent on scale.
