Subsidence is the downward movement of the ground and is widespread across Europe. Its causes and effects vary greatly depending on location, creating issues such as home and infrastructure damage, increased susceptibility to flooding and loss of groundwater storage capacity. Climate change could increase these pressures in certain areas through more frequent droughts and heatwaves and changing groundwater recharge patterns.

Satellite radar has changed the way researchers study land movement. Europe¡¯s Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, particularly the European Ground Motion Service, provides open-access information on ground motion across most of the European landmass. It helps researchers identify areas of subsidence and compare developments across countries. However, to understand why some land is sinking, satellite measurements need to be combined with subsurface knowledge: geology, groundwater levels, soil properties and human activities both above and below ground.

An international group of researchers, led by the Geological Survey of the Netherlands and including experts from BGS, has authored a new paper, , exploring the insights Europe has gathered from decades of studying land subsidence. The paper highlights the fact that such subsidence is not only a scientific concern but also a societal one, which needs a multi-system approach to ensure it is properly managed.

What causes subsidence?

The study describes a wide range of natural and human-induced processes that can contribute to land subsidence, including:

• tectonic movements
• groundwater extraction
• mining
• hydrocarbon extraction
• soft soils
• natural ground compaction

The researchers also point to possible new causes linked to the energy transition. Technologies such as geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, underground gas storage and hydrogen storage all make use of the subsurface. Depending on local conditions and how these systems are operated, such activities may influence ground motion. This makes careful monitoring and integrated assessment essential.

Land subsidence is common across Europe. In the UK, we have measured subsidence up to 2 cm per year in some coastal areas. This has important implications for coastal erosion and long-term impacts from sea level change.

Ekbal Hussain, remote sensing geoscientist.

Better decisions need better data

Better subsurface insight helps governments, industry and society make more informed decisions about water, infrastructure, climate adaptation and the energy transition.

Europe already has an important foundation for this: open data infrastructures, national monitoring programmes and cooperation between geological surveys, research institutes and policymakers. The challenge now is to bring this data together more effectively. By combining satellite observations with subsurface data and physics-based models, governments and industry can better distinguish between possible causes of land subsidence, assess future risks and weigh appropriate measures. It is hoped that this knowledge will support future risk assessment and decision-making across Europe.

Since we first stepped into the BGS headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham, in March 2026 we have experienced an inspiring blend of scientific training, cultural exchange, networking and personal growth. Our fellowship journey has not just sharpened our technical skills; it also reshaped how we think about environmental research and scientific collaboration back home in Kenya and Cameroon.

Despite coming from different institutions and scientific backgrounds, we quickly discovered a shared passion for strengthening environmental research systems across Africa.

A host institution beyond the laboratory

Our fellowship was hosted at the Inorganic Geochemistry Facility at BGS under the leadership of Michael Watts. BGS is far more than a laboratory. It is an international centre for geoscientific research and development, bringing together scientists, technicians and innovators working on environmental challenges from around the world.

One of the most inspiring aspects of our experience was the immediate sense of inclusion. From the first day, the induction process integrated us into the BGS community, giving us access not only to advanced laboratory facilities but also to the immense expertise of the staff.

The collaborative research between BGS, the University of Eldoret and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institue (KMFRI) on land-to-lake interactions in Kenya¡¯s Winam Gulf created a particularly meaningful context for our training, especially as fellows working in aquatic and environmental sciences.

Learning the science behind quality data

A major focus of the fellowship has been training in practical laboratory skills and quality-management systems. We gained hands-on experience in:

• recording and tracking samples using the Laboratory Information Management System
• sample storage and traceability
• soil sample preparation through sieving and milling
• preparation of reference materials for quality control purposes

These activities highlighted the importance of precision, consistency and quality assurance in generating reliable scientific data. The fellowship also exposed us to internationally recognised analytical techniques and laboratory protocols that strengthen confidence in environmental data production.

Sharpening our analytical skills

One of the most valuable aspects of our stay has been the opportunity to learn directly from experienced scientists and laboratory specialists at BGS. Our training included:

• quality assurance and quality control systems
• statistics and geospatial analysis using R and QGIS
• standard operating procedures for acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis
• water chemistry analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography
• research proposal and PhD concept development

The collaborative nature of the training allowed us to interact closely with experts, including several members of the BGS analytical and research teams. Beyond technical knowledge, these sessions strengthened our confidence in designing internationally competitive research projects and laboratory systems back home.

Building networks through meetings and visits

Our fellowship extended well beyond the BGS campus. We had opportunities to attend meetings and visit institutions including:

• Agilent Technologies in Oxford
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Nottingham
• University of Salford

These engagements opened doors for future collaborations, academic partnerships and potential PhD opportunities.

Understanding the past to shape the future

While at BGS, we also explored the institution¡¯s National Geological Repository, museum and library. These visits demonstrated how historical geological and environmental records can help scientists understand long-term ecosystem change and predict future environmental trends. For researchers interested in climate change, pollution, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems, these archives offer invaluable scientific insight.

Fellowship life beyond science

The fellowship experience was not all work and laboratory routines. We also had opportunities to relax, socialise and explore life in the UK. Some memorable moments included weekly Wednesday tea socials, sports activities, outings and comfortable accommodation close to BGS.

We also travelled to several cities and historic locations including Manchester, Liverpool, York, Whitby, the Isle of Wight and London. We made further community connections through St Giles Church and the Holy Spirit Church in West Bridgford, who also made our stay more welcoming and enriching.

Laying the foundations for a scientific future back home

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the fellowship has been what we described as a ¡®conceptual shift¡¯. For Cameroon, the experience highlighted opportunities to leapfrog traditional systems by integrating advanced data management and soil information systems at the University of Buea. For Kenya, the fellowship reinforced the importance of strengthening existing laboratories, improving analytical quality systems and building international collaborations at KMFRI.

Our shared vision is to return home and disseminate the knowledge we gained through our training, mentorship and collaboration. Ultimately, we hope to strengthen our institutions so they can generate globally trusted environmental data while retaining research capacity within our countries.

Gratitude and looking ahead

We remain deeply grateful to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for investing in our careers and scientific futures.

We also sincerely thank Michael Watts, Andrea Mills and the entire BGS team for their mentorship, hospitality and commitment to supporting our growth.

The fellowship eventually ended, but the collaborations, friendships, skills and inspiration gained during this experience will continue shaping our work for many years to come.

About the fellows

This fellowship brought together researchers from Cameroon and Kenya, each contributing expertise from different environmental science disciplines.

Across Europe, the subsurface is increasingly being recognised as a strategic asset that is critical for energy transition, resource security and environmental resilience. At the heart of efforts to harness this potential is the (GSEU), a major pan-European initiative working closely with national geological surveys such as BGS. Together, we are reshaping how geological knowledge is generated, shared and applied for societal benefit.

A shared European vision beneath our feet

Launched in 2022 under Horizon Europe, GSEU aims to establish a permanent geological service for Europe. Its core premise is simple yet transformative: geological challenges do not stop at national borders and therefore must be addressed through harmonised data and collaboration.

Through a partnership of nearly 50 organisations across more than 35 countries, GSEU is developing integrated pan-European datasets and services that address Europe¡¯s most pressing challenges, such as:

• securing the critical raw materials needed for green technologies
• managing groundwater resources under increasing climate pressure
• expanding renewable energy solutions, including geothermal
• planning subsurface use
• coastal management to avoid conflicts between infrastructure, storage and environmental protection

Rather than treating these domains separately, GSEU recognises that they interact within a complex and interconnected subsurface system that requires a holistic and coordinated approach to support policymaking, environmental protection and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Through shared standards, interoperable data models and coordinated research agendas, GSEU aims to create a unified geological knowledge base capable of supporting these goals.

From data to knowledge: the power of publications

One of the most tangible outputs of GSEU is its growing body of open-access publications that translate complex geoscientific work into actionable knowledge. The showcases a diverse range of outputs, such as scientific papers, factsheets and strategic position papers.

Recent highlights include:

• a , emphasising the need for coordinated approaches to achieve resilience and strategic autonomy
• scientific studies advancing the understanding of , including deposit mapping and predictive modelling approaches
• practical factsheets on and , supporting evidence-based environmental management
• the , a strategic roadmap outlining the long-term vision for a sustainable geological service across Europe
• the Geo-Assessment Matrix, a pan-European catalogue of key parameters for offshore wind farm siting

These publications form part of a broader effort to move beyond isolated datasets and towards the integrated (EGDI), a platform that makes harmonised geological data accessible for research, policy and industry.

The role of BGS

As the UK¡¯s national geological survey, BGS is a key contributor to GSEU. Our involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to international collaboration and data sharing. Through GSEU, our scientists contribute expertise in areas such as:

• critical raw materials and resource assessment
• groundwater systems, including leadership in groundwater drought and trend analysis
• geothermal energy and geoenergy systems
• subsurface storage
• coastal vulnerability assessment
• offshore renewable energy, including task leadership in developing pan-European geological datasets and methodologies for offshore windfarm siting, stability assessment and marine spatial planning
• geological data harmonisation and modelling

This breadth of involvement ensures that UK expertise is embedded within the development of interoperable, pan-European datasets and services.

Another example of BGS’s contribution is the European CO? Storage Atlas, which was developed through GSEU and launched in May 2025. By integrating geological datasets and subsurface characterisation from across Europe, the atlas provides a harmonised assessment of carbon dioxide (CO?) storage capacity and injectivity potential, demonstrating how detailed national expertise, including petrophysical and rock physics insights, can be translated into a coherent framework to support carbon capture and storage deployment at European scale.

51ÁÔÆæ played a key role through its leadership in UK storage assessments and is continuing this work through the recently launched , funded by the European Union. Over the next three years, CO2SITE will develop an open-access atlas of CO? storage opportunities across Europe, bringing together the geological, regulatory and other data needed to help advance projects towards implementation. As a key project partner, BGS will develop the database underpinning the CO2SITE atlas, providing an important resource for researchers, policymakers and investors to support informed decision making on geological CO? storage.

More broadly, BGS continues to deliver high-impact science that feeds into international initiatives, such as new findings on the formation timeline of the Giant¡¯s Causeway, and developments in national geothermal data resources. Together, these contributions reinforce BGS¡¯s role as a trusted provider of high-quality geoscientific knowledge.

Initiatives like GSEU are essential, because geology does not stop at borders. By understanding that continuity is key to tackling shared challenges and building a common knowledge base, we can support decisions that balance energy needs, environmental protection and long-term sustainability across Europe.

Audrey Ougier-Simonin, project lead at BGS.

Collaboration in action

Beyond data integration, the project is actively strengthening professional networks, firstly by bringing together all Europe¡¯s national geological surveys through and now enabling new forms of collaboration.

These include:

• research exchanges and short-term visits, such as collaboration with TNO (Netherlands) researchers
• student placements, including visiting researchers from organisations such as IGME (Spain)
• development of joint proposals and future research initiatives, building on new relationships formed through GSEU

Looking ahead

As Europe navigates the complexities of the energy transition and environmental change, initiatives like GSEU will be indispensable. By transforming fragmented geological data into a coherent, accessible and actionable resource, they are enabling better decisions at every level, from local land-use planning to EU-wide policy.

The message emerging from both GSEU publications and community engagement is clear: understanding the subsurface is key to building a resilient and sustainable future. Through continued collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing, Europe is steadily bringing that future into focus.

Covering around a quarter of the Earth¡¯s land surface, mountains supply water to billions of people and underpin global water, energy and food security. Mountainous regions receive disproportionately high rainfall, which feeds the rivers flowing to lower-lying areas where water demand is often greatest. Crucially, mountains also regulate this supply, storing water during wetter periods and releasing it during dry spells, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the ¡®natural water towers¡¯ of the world.

However, exactly where this water is stored and how it is released remains only partially understood. Much of the existing research has focused on the visible parts of mountain water systems including rivers, lakes, snow and glaciers. While these are undoubtedly important, we could be missing a vast, largely invisible component: the water stored deep within the mountain bedrock.

Emerging research is beginning to challenge the conventional understanding of mountain water systems. Studies using environmental tracers, which are chemical and biological ¡®fingerprints¡¯ that reveal where water has travelled, and geophysical imaging techniques that allow scientists to ¡®see¡¯ beneath the surface, suggest that significant volumes of water may move through deep mountain groundwater systems. These systems could be more resilient to climate change, potentially sustaining river flows and supporting downstream communities in an increasingly variable climate.

Taiwan¡¯s steep, rainfall-rich mountain landscapes provide an ideal natural setting for studying how water moves through complex hydrogeological systems. A new project, led by BGS in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), New Mexico Tech, the University of Basel and National Cheng Kung University, will investigate how water flows through these systems, focusing on a mountain-fed river basin in central Taiwan.

By combining environmental tracers with advanced geophysical techniques, we can begin to map how water moves through mountain bedrock in ways that haven¡¯t been possible before. These approaches give us powerful new insight into subsurface processes that are largely invisible, but potentially vital for long-term water resilience.

Prof Mark Person, co-investigator, New Mexico Tech.

The project also benefits from a unique groundwater observation network in the region. By tracking how water travels through the mountain bedrock, the team aims to build a first-of-its-kind, data-informed digital model of mountain groundwater flow.

Mountains are sometimes described as the world¡¯s water towers, but we still don¡¯t fully understand how they store and release water, especially beneath the surface. This project aims to uncover the hidden role of groundwater within mountain systems, which could be critical for sustaining water supplies as climate variability increases.

Dr Jon Mackay, BGS principal investigator

This research has the potential to establish a new paradigm for mountain hydrology by integrating the role of deep groundwater into our understanding of how mountain water systems function. In doing so, it will help develop more robust tools to support water resource management and climate change adaptation strategies in mountain-fed river systems around the world.

Ukraine and the UK have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on geological science and resource development. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to Ukraine¡¯s long-term economic recovery while deepening bilateral ties. Amid increasing global demand for critical minerals essential for technologies such as renewable energy systems, batteries and electronics, it also signals a growing focus on the role of natural resources in strengthening economic resilience and energy security.

The MoU focuses on expanding collaboration between the geological surveys of both the UK and Ukraine in areas such as digital transformation, research and institutional capacity strengthening. By enhancing cooperation across these areas, both countries aim to improve their understanding of geological resources while fostering more effective and modern approaches to managing them.

The MoU also coincides with the presentation of Ukraine¡¯s new Critical Minerals Strategy, which the UK helped to develop, further demonstrating its commitment to Ukraine¡¯s long-term economic and industrial future.

The MoU represents far more than a formal partnership. At a time when global challenges demand collective action, the strengthening of scientific and technical ties between our institutions is both timely and essential. This agreement reflects our shared belief that science can be a powerful bridge between countries and our shared commitment to not only scientific excellence but also growth, resilience and long-term prosperity.

Dr Maggy Heintz, director of BGS International Geoscience

At almost 70,000 square metres, Lake Victoria is the third largest lake in the world.?Over 200,000 fishers work its waters directly, sustaining a fishing economy worth over $1?billion and feeding?in excess of?42?million people across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.??

51ÁÔÆæ are part of a?new?project,?,?which?will?deploy three research vessels simultaneously across Kenyan,?Ugandan?and Tanzanian waters, in a twelve-month lake-wide campaign beginning in mid-2027.?

Led by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Association,?the project aims to survey Lake Victoria to?assess fish stocks, water quality, climate,?land-use?impacts?and community livelihoods, providing concrete evidence for policy makers,?business?and communities to make better lake?and land?management decisions.?

The planned?LV100?survey?will?replicate the first ever survey?of the lake,?carried out in 1927 by naturalist Michael Graham on behalf of the then?British colonial administration.?The original fish and data samples taken from the lake?are?preserved at the Natural History Museum in London and at the offices of?the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science?(Cefas).?Comparing these?historic?specimens?to those to be collected in 2027 will tell the story of 100 years of change.??

Since the 1927 survey, environmental stressors including the introduction of Nile perch, invasive plants and increasing pollution have affected the waters of Lake Victoria, and researchers aim to glean insights that will help them protect the lake?from future impacts such as climate change.??

51ÁÔÆæ will examine how land-to-lake processes in the region have evolved over time. Scientists will assess how poor land management and vegetation loss contribute to increased material entering the lake, affecting fisheries through sediment build-up and nutrient pollution that promotes invasive plant growth, limiting access for small boats?and potentially limiting the rapid growth of aquaculture as an essential industry to support economic and food security in the region.?

I am delighted to be part of the Lake Victoria LV100 centenary survey.?It¡¯s?a welcome decision to incorporate and consider the influence of land use and its management on the future health of Lake Victoria to sustain food and economic security for the region. The project will combine more than 50 partners across the region and internationally to undertake a multidisciplinary study to define the impacts on the Lake and use novel means to encourage decision makers to act in the best interests of the lake and those who?benefit?from it.

Michael Watts, Head of BGS Inorganic Geochemistry

Lake Victoria represents one of the most incredible sources of life, health and wellbeing for the people of East Africa, and I¡¯m delighted to support this locally led initiative to ensure we understand our impacts upon it and so ensure it provides for generations to come.

Mark Haviland, Co-Director of Lake Victoria 100

The project?aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ¡ª in?particular?SDG 14 (Life Below Water),?SDG 15 (Life on land),?SDG 2 (Zero Hunger),?SDG 13 (Climate Action)?and strengthens partnerships for the SDG goals through SDG 17 –?as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Total investment in the expedition is expected to be close to USD?7m.?

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Sand is the most extracted solid material on Earth (currently 50?billion tonnes annually). Rapid urbanisation, driven by large-scale migration into cities, has fuelled a growing need for sand as a building material, with demand expected to rise by 45?per cent by 2060.

Due to this rise in demand, sand mining has increased across the globe, often including unregulated and illegal operations. Extraction is now occurring faster than the rate of natural replenishment, a process that can take thousands of years. This is known as the ¡®sand gap¡¯.

While sand mining on a local scale can provide employment and ?raw materials needed for development, the sheer scale of extraction in many parts of the world has considerable, cumulative, negative environmental effects if it is not carefully managed.?

Sand used for construction in many countries is often sourced from rivers and marine environments; however, sand also plays an essential role within these natural systems, supporting biodiversity and providing resilience to erosion and flooding. ?The value of sand in these environments needs to be carefully balanced against its value as a material for development.

To outline this escalating risk, a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, with contributions from BGS geoscientists,?has been released. ¡®¡¯ highlights the risk posed to both on and offshore areas affected by sand mining. It also urges governments, policymakers and industry to recognise sand¡¯s essential value, strengthen policy frameworks and apply early and coordinated interventions on sand sustainability.? The report presents 24 strategic actions that governments, industry, financial institutions and civil society can take to better safeguard sand resources.

The report, co-written by 27 experts from across the world, concludes with actionable policy measures and to support more sustainable sand management at local, regional and national levels.

This timely report and its accompanying tool highlight the global significance of sand mining while outlining the challenges and risks faced by the sector. We hope that this report will serve as a catalyst for policymakers, encouraging the development and application of more robust governance of sand mining. At the same time, the report aims to improve public understanding of the true value of sand. Ultimately, it should support the adoption of appropriate alternatives, reduce consumption and minimise the negative impacts associated with sand extraction.

Tom Bide, minerals geoscientist at BGS and report co-author.

Further reading

• Living in a world made of sand
• Good practice for sand mining

Marcus Dobbs, head of BGS Engineering Geology, has been appointed as vice-chair of the advisory group for the (CCOP). Marcus has been elected alongside the new chair of the advisory group, Philipp Schmidt-Thom¨¦ of the (GTK). The two recently attended their first CCOP steering committee meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

The advisory group¡¯s role is to provide strategic advice to the CCOP steering committee and technical secretariat to support the development and delivery of CCOP¡¯s overall strategy, ensuring it meets the needs of member countries and aligns with sustainable development goals. This includes:

• enhancing the impact and communication of CCOP science
• monitoring developments and user needs in geoscience
• supporting capacity building and early career professionals
• fostering knowledge exchange and partnerships
• advising on recruitment and staff development
• securing aligned funding
• encouraging contributions from coordinating countries and cooperating organisations
• offering any additional support needed to help CCOP achieve its strategic objectives

I¡¯m delighted to be working alongside Philipp and fellow members of the CCOP advisory group to help deliver CCOP¡¯s new strategic plan for 2026 to 2030. Geoscience sits at the heart of humanity¡¯s response to the challenges of sustainable development and disaster resilience, and its greatest impact is realised when nations work together across borders. Through strong intergovernmental partnerships such as CCOP, we can translate geoscientific data and knowledge into lasting social, economic and environmental benefit at a truly global scale.

Marcus Dobbs, head of engineering geology at BGS.