DiGMapGB-25: Superficial Geological Map Data of Great Britain at 1:25k Scale

Superficial deposits are the youngest geological deposits formed during the Quaternary period, extending back about 2.58 million years. The British Geological Survey provides this vector data identifying landscape areas attributed with geological names and rock type descriptions at a 1:25,000 scale. Onshore coverage is partial, focusing on special areas of 'classic' geology like Llandovery, Coniston, and the Cuillan Hills.

Use Cases

• Map Quaternary geological features based on polygon data attributed with deposit types.
• Analyze the distribution of superficial deposits like glacial deposits or river terrace deposits based on BGS lexicon classifications.
• Model landscape evolution and natural hazards based on data about unconsolidated sediments such as gravel, sand, silt, and clay.
• Support land-use planning and environmental assessments with detailed geological data for specific 'classic' areas of Great Britain.

Strengths

• Data is provided at a detailed 1:25,000 scale.
• Deposits are classified using the BGS Rock Classification Scheme (volume 4).
• Includes attribution for deposit type based on mode of origin (lithogenesis) or composition.

Limitations

• Onshore coverage is partial; BGS has no intention to create a national coverage at this scale.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Data identifying landscape areas (shown as polygons) attributed with geological names and rock type descriptions.

Time Range

Covers the Quaternary period, extending back about 2.58 million years.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-28 14:04:43.846357; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Great Britain, with partial onshore coverage in specific areas like Llandovery (central Wales), Coniston (Lake District), and Cuillan Hills (Isle of Skye).