British Geological Survey Soluble Rock Hazard Assessment

GeoSure Soluble Rocks data from the British Geological Survey assesses ground dissolution potential across Great Britain. The dataset identifies four karstic rock types—limestone, chalk, gypsum, and salt—and models associated subsidence and sinkhole hazards to inform planning decisions.

Use Cases

• Model sinkhole formation risk using the assessed dissolution potential for limestone, chalk, gypsum, and salt rock types.
• Analyze spatial patterns of karst-related engineering problems like subsidence and uneven rock-head.
• Integrate dissolution hazard data with infrastructure maps to assess building damage potential.
• Support geological hazard zoning by mapping the distribution of soluble rock formations nationally.

Strengths

• Provides complete national coverage for Great Britain.
• Based on BGS DiGMap and expert knowledge of geological formations.
• Covers four distinct soluble rock types with different hazard characteristics.

Limitations

• Specific data volume, row count, and column details are unavailable.
• Primary formats are ESRI and MapInfo, which may require GIS software for use.
• Assessment is based on modeled potential, not direct measurement of events.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Methodology based on BGS DiGMap (Digital Map) and expert knowledge of geological formation behavior.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated March 2026.

Geography

Great Britain