BGS Geology 50k Mass Movement: UK Landslip and Subsidence Polygons

Mass movement deposits and foundered strata across England, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man are mapped as polygons at a 1:50,000 scale. The British Geological Survey (BGS) provides this vector data, which has approximately 99% onshore coverage and is subject to ongoing national survey updates. Caution is advised as historical recording may be incomplete and the dynamic nature of these events means significant changes may have occurred since data release.

Use Cases

• Model landslide susceptibility based on mapped mass movement deposit locations.
• Assess regional subsidence risks based on identified areas of foundered strata.
• Plan infrastructure projects by identifying zones of potential ground instability.
• Validate geological models using the national survey's polygon data on mass movement.

Strengths

• Approximately 99% onshore coverage for England, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man.
• Data is presented at a detailed 1:50,000 scale.
• Includes both mass movement deposits and foundered strata (subsidence) not covered by the standard rock classification.

Limitations

• Historical BGS recording of mass movement events may be incomplete.
• The dynamic nature of mass movement means significant changes may have occurred since data release.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Ongoing national survey.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:31:42.675033; freshness should be verified.

Geography

England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man (onshore).