Citizen science at the BGS

iGeology app

What is citizen science?

'Citizen science' is a term used for projects in which individual volunteers (or networks of volunteers), many of whom may have no specific scientific training, perform or manage research-related tasks such as observation, measurement, or computation.


Selected BGS citizen science

iGeologyCommunity geology observations via iGeology

Share your geological observations with other iGeology users! Submit photographs showing points of interest and outcrops, or tell us where our mapping needs revisiting. You might also include observations about temporary geological exposures — GeoExposures — or geological hazards, such as landslides or flooding, using the app.

GeoExposures GeoExposures

Share your observations about temporary geological exposures, such as trenches, pipelines, foundation excavations, road cuttings and embankments.

Exposures iconEXtreme EXposures

Calling all adventurers, intrepid geology fans and keen photographers! In some parts of the UK the BGS photographic coverage is limited due to extreme terrain or difficult to reach vantage points. The BGS is asking for your help to photograph these 'EXposures'!



Seismic iconHave you felt an earthquake?

A short questionnaire to record what people experienced during an earthquake. It helps us quickly gather a large volume of information that suports instrumental data and may give vital information about the level of shaking to emergency services.

mySoil iconmySoil

mySoil is an iPhone/iPad app that includes an option for the public to upload information about the soil where they live, helping to improve knowledge about the properties of soils and the vegetation habitats that they provide.

Raspberry Pi magnetometerRaspberry Pi Magnetometer

The Raspberry Pi Magnetometer project is building magnetic field sensors to encourage students from 14–18 years old to look at how sensors can be used to collect geophysical data and integrate it together to give a wider understanding of physical phenomena.

Landslide iconReport a landslide

The landslides team at the BGS records the landslides of Great Britain. Please tell us about any British landslides you may have seen on TV, heard about on the radio or read in newspapers, etc. Perhaps you have been affected in some way or seen a landslide happen yourself?

Seismology iconSchool seismology


Volcano iconVolcano eruption ash collection


Terms and conditions


By depositing photos and materials you take full responsibility:



BGS Citizen Science operates under the code of a:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License
Creative Commons License


For further information about citizen science in the BGS contact BGS citizen science.