Geology and environment survey of the Isle of Wight and Lymington areas

During the last week of September and the first two weeks of October 2008, the British Geological Survey will carry out a low level airborne survey of the Isle of Wight and Lymington areas.

The survey aircraft will fly:

  • Daylight hrs between Mondays & Saturdays
  • Mostly in a north-south direction
  • At an altitude no lower than 185 ft
  • Along lines spaced 656 ft apart
  • At a speed of approximately 130 mph
  • Noise similar to that of a passing lorry

The most important measurements in this particular survey will be made with an electromagnetic system; this records variations of electrical conductivity in the shallow earth which may reflect land quality. The plane's other sensors measure magnetism, which can indicate rock type and structure, and natural gamma spectrometry, which reflects mainly the type and condition of the soils.

Anyone requiring further information about the project may contact the General Enquiries desk of the British Geological Survey on 0115 936 3143 or email enquiries@bgs.ac.uk or if calling out-of-hours on 0797 138 5730.


The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users.

More about the BGS can be found at www.bgs.ac.uk.
 
Geology and environment survey of the Isle of Wight and Lymington areas
 
De Havilland Twin Otter with a distinctive red and white striped tail-plane and registration OH-KOG, based at Bembridge aerodrome.
 

Peter Hopson, principal geologist at the British Geological Survey involved in remapping the Isle of Wight said:

“The Isle of Wight has been the subject of geological study from the earliest days of the geological sciences. It is one of the classic areas of field geology in the world with spectacular coastlines demonstrating earth-moving structures and sediments from an age when a 'greenhouse world' was the norm on Earth. Geotourism was an invention and popular pastime of the Victorians and the Island still attracts the amateur and the serious student of geology to this day".


“The original geological map of 1888, partly updated in 1926, and its descriptive memoir reflects the keen interest in the natural world held by our Victorian forefathers. Their observational science was superb but the geological sciences have come a long way since that time and a new survey is necessary. As custodians of Britain’s geological maps, the British Geological Survey recently started a new ground survey that uses all the modern techniques available to bring the current maps up to a modern day standard. The airborne survey is one of the most advanced such systems in the world and the team is delighted to have the opportunity to use this remote sensing platform to enhance its understanding of this little diamond of geology”.