On 20 January 2022, BGS and the (NHM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) called Research Partnership for the Future. This partnership reflects and builds on the two organisations’ shared history and sets out a roadmap for working collaboratively to deliver our joint ambitions.

The partnership focuses on six strategic areas of shared interest:

• research
• collections
• digital and data resources
• provision of space and infrastructure
• public engagement and citizen science
• higher education and training

Earth science knowledge and expertise is core to addressing many of the most pressing issues facing society in the 21st century, from the decarbonisation of energy supplies to climate change mitigation.

The agreement enables BGS and NHM to harness the expertise they have in these areas and to engage with key stakeholders and the public. Working together means we can provide greater access to our collections, data, research and people whilst generating further dialogue around the most pressing issues facing society and the planet, both today and in the future.

This partnership agreement will complement and enrich the delivery of our science strategy and ensures not only will we work together to deliver cutting-edge geoscience for a sustainable future, but also work collaboratively in inspiring and engaging the next generation of geoscientists.

Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director.

Geoscience expertise has never been more important; it plays a critical role in combatting the planetary emergency — from sourcing sustainable supplies of the resources needed to transition to a green economy, to securing clean water. This agreement builds on our century-old relationship and outlines our shared commitment to scientific excellence and discovery, making geosciences as inclusive as possible — and engaging the public with science-led solutions.

Dr Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum Director.

Data from the BGS Seismology team, led by Dr Brian Baptie, has helped to illustrate a dramatic reduction in seismic activity and earth vibrations — or ‘noise’ — during lockdown.

The data was transformed into an illustration as part of ‘Nature in Lockdown’, a (NHM) public engagement initiative that crowdsourced research ideas to discover which environmental impacts of COVID-19 people were most interested in.

As part of the initiative, NHM collaborated with data visualisation company , who approached BGS to help illustrate some of the environmental changes wrought by lockdown.

The seismic data was brought to their attention when 51ÁÔÆæ seismologists observed a drop in seismic activity throughout March 2020 in some locations across the UK.

Some areas of the UK were noisier during lockdown, but most of the country vibrated less; a pattern also noted by scientists in locations across Europe when entire countries were brought to a standstill.

We compared the average daytime noise levels at seismic stations in the UK in the two week period since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown with the average noise levels for the beginning of the year. The results show reductions in noise levels at most of our stations of between 10 and 50 per cent.

We see that some of the biggest noise reductions are at sites closest to sources of human-generated noise. Much of our understanding about the Earth comes from observations of earthquakes. So in theory, this could lead to new insights about our planet.

Brian Baptie, BGS Seismologist.

The Nature in Lockdown initiative drew on a variety of open-source data and scientific databases and documented the dramatic drop in driving and public transport use, and the changes to sightings of both animals and birds.

The project, which received funding from the Natural Environment Research Council, culminated in a live interactive virtual ‘Lates’ event on Friday 25 September, during which audiences posed questions to young and emerging researchers about those topics.

These fascinating visualisations, the result of a collaboration between scientists, our digital teams and Beyond Words, bring to life some of the astonishing impacts lockdown has had on our environments and how we noticed and experienced nature in a new and different way.

Clare Matterson, NHM’s executive director of engagement.

You can .

Find out more about how the BGS collects data to improve our .

It’s good news for geology lovers! The 51ÁÔÆæ (BGS) shop at London’s Natural History Museum is re-opening its doors, after the pandemic left it closed since March.

After weeks of uncertainty, the team behind the shop, based in the Natural History Museum’s Red Zone, have been making final preparations to ensure the shop is safe for everyone to visit in line with government guidance from today, Wednesday 5 August.

Access to the shop will be via the museum’s free,

Michelle O’Grady, BGS Enquiries and Retail Officer, said:

“It’s been a challenging time but we’re really looking forward to welcoming our customers back. We love helping more people to learn about geology.

“We have put a number of systems in place to ensure that visitors to the museum can shop safely and comfortably in line with guidance, including hand sanitiser stations, contactless payments, and protective screens.

“In addition, all of our staff will be wearing face coverings to help keep everyone as safe as possible.”

 

The BGS geology  shop sells a range of products including maps, memoirs, regional geology guides, selected OS maps and technical reports, as well as non BGS books, guides and popular publications.

“The shop is perfect for rock lovers or anyone with an interest in geology, or for souvenirs and gifts,”

adds Michelle.

“Customers love our bedrock geology of the UK jigsaw but we also have rocks, fossils, minerals, greeting cards, and jewellery which are allvery popular.”

The London BGS shop will re-open doors from Wednesdays to Fridays from 11 – 6pm along with the rest of the Natural History Museum.

To visitors should at .

REF No PR050820