BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Offshore Yorkshire version 1.0

The BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Offshore Yorkshire digital map products comprise three complementary components: 1) Substrate Geology, showing the distribution of Bedrock and Superficial geological units interpreted to be present within the top 1 m below seabed; 2) Structural Geology, delineating the principle structural features such as faults and folds observed at rockhead; and 3) Seabed Geomorphology, classifying the physical morphology and interpreted geomorphic character of the seabed.

This geospatial product is the result of analysing, interpreting, and classifying several high-resolution, multibeam echo-sounder (MBES) bathymetry datasets, supported by further data and information, e.g., MBES backscatter, physical samples (e.g., grabs, cores, and boreholes), seismic data, academic and publicly accessible industry literature, and previous BGS mapping (e.g.,1:250k maps).

The bedrock geology comprises Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, with bedrock commonly outcropping in the northern and central parts of the map area. Triassic rocks of the Bacton, Haisborough, and Lias Groups are dominant in the north, whereas Cretaceous Chalk is dominant in the central areas. Extensive folding, fracturing, and faulting are observed at the rockhead, indicative of the complex structural evolution of the southern North Sea basin. Superficial deposits comprise several Quaternary deposits, in particular, Late Pleistocene subglacial till of the Bolders Bank Formation. Post-glacial channel-infill deposits are also common as well as Holocene through modern unconsolidated marine sediments. The Seabed Geomorphology records a range of relict and active processes, including bedrock ‘Bedding ridges’, Late Pleistocene ‘Ice-marginal moraines’, and active marine sedimentary current-induced bedforms, e.g., ‘Sediment Waves’.

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/bgs-seabed-geology/

The dataset is free to view online via the BGS Offshore GeoIndex. More specialised formats may be available but may incur additional processing costs. Please contact BGS Enquiries (enquiries@bgs.ac.uk) to request further information.