A 3D look at the world beneath our feet.

Scientists at NERC’s British Geological Survey are developing the next generation of geological maps of the UK - three dimensional visualisations of the world beneath our feet. Using geological mapping and information from boreholes, they are constructing detailed 3D geological models of parts of London, Glasgow, Manchester and Salford. One of the biggest regeneration initiatives in the UK has commissioned BGS to model the geology of Scotland’s Clyde Gateway area in 3D. The Clyde Gateway Partnership* is taking place in the east of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire and will be developing vacant, derelict and contaminated land to improve people’s well-being, the area's economy, and to create new facilities for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. These new models explain features using both geological and engineering language which help planners, engineers and developers to understand the different soil and rock layers beneath the city. This will help them determine how best to use the land and address the many complicated environmental issues resulting from the area’s industrial heritage such as shallow mining, drainage problems and contamination. The key to the models' success is in understanding how planners, engineers and regulators work, and producing a product which is tailored to their specific needs.