Bedrock summary lithologies across the UK Continental Shelf (2014 Version)

The Bedrock summary lithologies dataset is digital geological map across the bulk of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), for areas up to a water depth of 200m, which groups the bedrock lithologies (rock types) into classes based on similar engineering geology characteristics.

The map is derived from the 1:250,000 scale digital bedrock map of the UKCS, called DiGRock250k, which is available separately from the BGS. The map was produced in 2014 in collaboration with, and co-funded by, The Crown Estate as part of a wider commissioned project to assess seabed geological constraints on engineering infrastructure across the UKCS.

The divisions on the map combine the bedrock formations into 8 classes (with several subdivisions) of similar strength and lithological variability, each with a 'Category' title that summarises their main lithological character: Class1 – Igneous; Class 2 – Tertiary Sandstone and Limestone; Class 2.5 – Tertiary Sandstone and Limestone Interbedded; Class 3 – Tertiary Mudstone; Class 4 – Mesozoic Sandstone and Limestone; Class 4.5 - Mesozoic Sandstone and Limestone Interbedded; Class 5 – Mesozoic Mudstone; Class 6 – Chalk; Class 7 – Metamorphic; Class 8 – Palaeozoic Sedimentary.

The data are held by the BGS as an ESRI ArcGIS Shapefile.