British Geological Survey reports – their characteristics and history
In addition to formal publications BGS has created many thousands of unpublished reports, this page describes the various report series that have been produced from c. 1950 to the present day. In most cases only a few copies were created for deposit in the various Records Offices and Libraries. They can be regarded as 'grey literature' works produced outside of traditional publishing and distribution.
1950–1988
During this period every Programme, Group or even Unit created their own Technical reports and each series was numbered independently, often with a simple numerical numbering system e.g. 1–26.
1988–2000
A major reorganization took place in 1988. Two changes occurred:
- A unified cross-BGS report system was started. The reports were called 'Technical reports' a small number of 'Research reports' were also issued. Technical Reports were designed for the rapid communication of results from project-based work. Research Reports are those that have been prepared to full publication standard, presenting interpreted results and offering dissertations of high scientific merit. Technical and Research reports were both organized according to 'Activity' rather than Programme/Group/Unit and all reports has a similar numbering system. Sample report designations: Technical report number – WA/88/1. Research report – SA/89/1. (Research Reports can be viewed here).
- All pre-1988 reports were renumbered aligning with the new system according to 'Activity' and to accommodate the large number of previous report series, by 'Subactivity'. The latter is not a feature of the 1988 onwards report system, Subactivity was applied only these pre-1988 legacy reports. Sample report number WB/MG/68/1.
Reports can be open (available to the public) (no designation), 'R' Restricted - restricted to BGS staff only and 'C' Confidential, the reports and in many cases, the metadata about the reports are confidential. The 'R' & 'C' designations are suffixes to the report number.
2000–
The previous Activity code basis of numbering reports was dropped. A new system of numbering was created and reports became digital. The Technical reports and Research reports were combined into single Year/number sequences and classed as Research Reports, Open Reports, Internal Reports and Commissioned Reports. Those that are available to the public are available in NORA for download (the NERC Open Research Archive), and eventually in the BGS Publications viewer.
Research Reports (RR)
These are non-confidential reports with high levels of quality assurance (QA) including external peer review. They are should be fully interpreted accounts of work completed as part of BGS National Capability. Research reports will normally carry an ISBN. An example designation is RR/99/008.
Internal Reports (IR)
This series comprises confidential reports only written to inform BGS colleagues, They are available to BGS staff only. They include reports such as overseas visit reports or software development reports. Internal reports will not carry an ISBN. Prior to 2008 IR reports were either 'Open' for the public or 'Restricted' to BGS staff only. The latter have a 'R' suffix e.g. IR/07/xxxR. From 2008 IR reports became an entirely confidential report series. In 2007, Reports that would have been made available to the public in the IR series started to come out in the new series 'Open Reports'
Commissioned Reports (CR)
This series includes reports written as the result of an external commission to BGS. It is a current series. Reports can be:
- Confidential - the default, using a designation in the form: CR/01/xxx. Confidential reports have highly restricted access, to the metadata about the report and the report itself.
- A few very early CR reports also had a "C" Confidential suffix.
- Open-file - Called CRN, they have a 'N' Suffix to the number e.g. CR/01/063N, where N = non-confidential
- Previously confidential reports can be subsequently released as open-file CR reports, the CR number remains the same but the N suffix is added.
- Since 2008, some open reports written as the result of a commission are included in the Open Reports (OR) series.
Open Reports (OR)
These are non-confidential reports written to inform BGS colleagues and/or clients. They will have less-rigorous QA than RRs. The series includes some reports that would have previously been issued in the IR series, such as reports on field mapping of 1:10 000 sheets, palaeontological analyses and laboratory analyses, i.e. work carried out as part of BGS National Capability. In addition, ORs will include non-confidential commissioned reports, i.e. those previously classified pre-2008 as CRNs (CR/07/xxxN). Open reports will not normally carry an ISBN although, exceptionally, high-profile ORs may be allocated an ISBN if production values are high enough. Sample designation of a Open Report: OR/12/079.
Activity codes applied to 1988–2000 Technical reports and the renumbered 1950–1988 reports
| Activity | Technical reports prefix | Research reports - prefix |
|---|---|---|
| Activity A - Onshore Geology | WA | SA |
| Activity B - Marine Geology | WB | SB |
| Activity C - Overseas Geology | WC | SC |
| Activity D - Hydrogeology | WD | SD |
| Activity E - Fluid Processes | WE | None produced |
| Activity F - Mineral Resources | WF | SF |
| Activity G - Mineralogy & Petrology | WG | SG |
| Activity H - Stratigraphy | WH | SH |
| Activity I - Analytical Geochemistry (Previously Analytical & Applied Geochemistry) | WI | SI |
| Activity J - Energy Resources | WJ | None produced |
| Activity K - Regional Geophysics | WK | None produced |
| Activity L - Global Seismology | WL | None produced |
| Activity M - Geomagnetism | WM | None produced |
| Activity N - Engineering Geology | WN | None produced |
| Activity O - Information & Data Resources (Includes Marketing) | WO | None produced |
| Activity P - Applied Geochemistry - > Geochemistry | WP | SP |
Subactivity codes for renumbered pre 1988 Technical reports
| Subactivity | Activity | Date | Comment | BGS Library shelf location |
| Activity A - Onshore Geology | ||||
| CG | Coalfield Geology Reports | 01-JAN-1954 31-DEC-1956 | ||
| DM | Geological Notes and Local Details for 1:10 000 sheets | 01-JAN-1980 | 90030/1 | |
| HI | Land Survey, Scotland (Highlands and Islands) | 01-JAN-1978 31-DEC-1986 | Includes some Bulk Industrial Minerals : Scotland reports | |
| KB | Deep Geology Research Group | 01-JAN-1980 | Numbered 80/1 to 88/9, some titles confidential | 90248, 90208/1 |
| LD | Land Survey, Southern Uplands and Lake District | 01-JAN-1984 31-DEC-1986 | Includes Land Survey, Southern Uplands and Lake District | 90030/2 |
| LE | Land Survey, England, miscellaneous | 01-JAN-1978 | Includes Special Reports and Occasional Papers; also includes Southern England South W | 90224, 90245 |
| LN | Land Survey, Northern Ireland | 01-JAN-1963 | 90204 | |
| LR | Land Survey, Northern Ireland, Special Reports | 01-JAN-1976 | ||
| LS | Land Survey, Scotland, miscellaneous | 01-JAN-1954 | Includes Reports, Central Scotland Research Programme | 90225 |
| LW | Land Survey, Wales | |||
| NE | Land Survey, Northern England | 01-JAN-1984 31-DEC-1984 | Other reports included with 'Geological Notes and Local Details', old 'DM' series | |
| NL | Land Survey, Scotland (North Lowlands) | 01-JAN-1977 31-DEC-1983 | Continued in LS series. Last number NL 83/7 | |
| SL | Land Survey, Scotland (Southern Uplands) | 01-JAN-1976 31-DEC-1984 | Includes some Bulk Industrial Minerals: Scotland reports Last number SL 84/1; continued in LS series | |
| VG | Geological Reports for DOE: Land Use Planning and miscellaneous | 01-JAN-1981 | Allocated numbers 81/1 to 87/1 | 90222/1, 90222/4, 90225 |
| Activity B - Marine Geology | ||||
| MC | Marine Geophysics, Cruise Reports | 01-JAN-1968 31-DEC-1969 | 90218 | |
| MD | Marine Geophysics Computer Data Reports | 01-JAN-1980 31-DEC-1984 | From May 1986 onwards all included in Marine Reports series (SB) | 90214/1 |
| MG | Marine Geophysics Reports | 01-JAN-1968 31-DEC-1985 | Superseded by Marine Reports | 90245/1, 90214, 90212/1 |
| MI | Marine Geology Internal Reports | 01-JAN-1972 30-APR-1986 | Superseded by Marine Reports series (SB), May 1986 onwards | 90227/1, 90227/3 |
| MM | Marine Geology Unit, Miscellaneous Reports | 01-JAN-1978 31-DEC-1980 | From May 1986 all included in Marine Reports (SB) | 90227/2 |
| MP | Marine Geophysics Computer Program Reports | 01-JAN-1972 30-APR-1986 | From May 1986 onwards all included in Marine Reports series (SB) | 90214/2 |
| MR | Marine Reports | 01-MAY-1986 | Supersede previous Marine Geology (SB/SBL) and Marine Geophysics (SB/SBG) series | 90227/3 |
| MU | Marine Geophysics, UK Gravity measurements | 01-JAN-1974 31-DEC-1982 | 90245/1 | |
| Activity C - Overseas Geology | ||||
| CR | Overseas Geology, Cordillera Real Geological Research Project | 01-JAN-1987 | ||
| EB | Overseas Directorate, Eastern Bolivia Mineral Exploration Project, 'Proyecto PreCambrico' | 01-JAN-1979 31-DEC-1982 | Numbered 1 to 26 | 90240/2 |
| HP | Overseas Geology | 01-JAN-1987 | Previously OG series | 90240, 90240/3, 90240/5 |
| NS | Overseas Geology, North Sumatra Geochemical and Mineral Exploration Project Report Series | 01-JAN-1984 31-DEC-1987 | ||
| OG | Overseas Geology | 01-JAN-1960 31-DEC-1986 | Superseded by MP series Numbered 1 to 39 (1983), then OG 83/1 etc., continuing as MP 87/1 etc. | 90240, 90240/3, 90240/5 |
| PR | Overseas Geology, Photogeological Reports | 01-JAN-1963 31-DEC-1969 | Numbered 1 to 43, with gaps | 90238 |
| Activity D - Hydrogeology | ||||
| IB | Hydrogeology Unit, Indo-British Betwa Groundwater Project Reports | 01-JAN-1979 31-DEC-1980 | Numbered 80/1 to 80/8 | 90206/2 |
| OS | Hydrogeology Unit, Overseas Reports | 01-JAN-1975 | Masters held by Carol Cordery or by authors (Dr. Herbert, August 1988). Numbered 75/1 to 87/16 | 90206/5 |
| SC | Hydrogeology in Scotland Reports | 01-JAN-1979 | Supersede Hydrogeological Unit Reports, Scotland. Numbered 79/1 to 87/4 | 90206/1, 90206/6 |
| ST | Hydrogeology Reports, Special Topics | 01-JAN-1952 31-DEC-1985 | Numbered 52/1 to 85/4 (last number) | 90247, 90206/4 |
| SU | Hydrogeological Unit, Well Siting Survey Reports | 01-JAN-1977 31-DEC-1981 | Accompanied by borehole location maps. Discontinued. Numbered 77/1 to 81/3 | 90206/8 |
| WD | Hydrogeology Research Group Reports | 01-JAN-1950 | Formerly Hydrogeology Unit, previously Hydrogeological Dept. Numbered 50/1 to 87/8 | 90206/3, 90206/7, 90206/9 |
| Activity E - Fluid Processes | ||||
| FI | Fluid Processes Research Group Internal Reports | 01-JAN-1985 31-DEC-1987 | Formerly Fluid Processes Unit. previously Environmental Protection Unit. Supersedes ENPU Internal Reports Series, superseded by Technical Report Series (WE\) | 90247 |
| EI | Environmental Protection Unit Internal Report Series | 01-DEC-1980 31-DEC-1984 | Superseded by FLPU Internal Report Series.Also included, some reports of unknown date. | 90247 |
| EN | Environmental Protection Unit | 01-DEC-1980 31-DEC-1982 | Superseded by FLPU series. Also included, some reports of unknown date. | 90247 |
| FL | Fluid Processes Research Group | 01-JAN-1983 | Formerly Fluid Processes Unit, previously Environmental Protection Unit. Supersedes ENPU series. | 90247 |
| FP | Fluid Processes Research Group Internal Reports | 01-JAN-1985 31-DEC-1987 | Formerly Fluid Processes Unit, previously Environmental Protection Unit. Supersedes ENPU Internal Reports Series, superseded by Technical Report Series (WE/) | 90247 |
| Activity F - Mineral Resources | ||||
| AG | (See WI for description) | |||
| MB | Mineral Briefs | 01-JAN-1977 31-DEC-1984 | By country. Numbered 1 to 24 (last number) | 90242/1 |
| MI | Mineral Resources Division: Mineral Intelligence Reports | 01-JAN-1959 31-DEC-1968 | Formerly Mineral Intelligence Reports of the Overseas Geological Surveys, N Superseded by MI/MSER. Numbered 1 to 76 | 90241 |
| MM | Mineral Resources, miscellaneous | |||
| MN | Mineral Resources: Industrial Minerals | 01-JAN-1978 31-DEC-1987 | Including unpublished reports of former Mineral Assessment Unit.Published reports appear in the Mineral Assessment Report Series. Allocated numbers 78/1 to 87/1 | 90222/2 |
| MR | Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Reports | 01-JAN-1975 | Numbered 1 to 92 | 90237/1 |
| SC | Mineral resources, Scotland (Bulk Industrial Minerals) | 01-JAN-1978 | Includes Central Scotland Mineral Portfolio | 90222/2, 90222/3 |
| SE | Mineral Intelligence Statistics and Economics, Mineral Stra Research Unit Reports | 01-JAN-1979 31-DEC-1983 | Five reports, numbered from 12 to 45 (last number) | 90241/1 |
| SG | UKAEA Salisbury Office Government Reports on Beryllium | 1958 - 1962 | ||
| SR | Mineral Resources Division (formerly of the Overseas Geological Surveys):Special Reports (Laboratory investigations) | 01-JAN-1960 31-DEC-1968 | Continued separately as PM/AM and AC. Numbered from 1 to 291. Terminated | 90242 |
| Activity G - Mineralogy & Petrology | ||||
| AM | Applied Mineralogy Unit Reports | 01-JAN-1968 31-DEC-1984 | Formerly Mineralogy Unit. Previous reports appear under MD/SR. Series continues as PM, 1985 onwards. Numbered 1 to 328 | 90239 |
| PE | Petrology Unit: Petrographic Reports (London) | 01-JAN-1965 31-DEC-1984 | Previously Petrographical Reports, in bound volumes. Series continues as PM, 1985 onwards Numbered 1 to 271 | |
| PL | Petrology Unit: Petrographic Reports (Leeds) | 01-JAN-1965 31-DEC-1984 | Series continues as PM, 1985 onwards. Numbered 72/1 to 81/30 | |
| PH | Mineralogy and Petrology Research Group | 01-JAN-1985 | Numbered PM 85/1 onwards | 90249 |
| PS | Petrology Unit: Petrographic Reports (Scotland) | 01-JAN-1976 31-DEC-1984 | Series continues as PM, 1985 onwards. Numbered 5000 to 5027 | |
| Activity H - Stratigraphy | ||||
| OA | Palaeontological reports for former Overseas Geological Surveys (1960-1964) by the British Museum (Natural History) | 01-JAN-1960 31-DEC-1964 | Numbered 52 to 217 | 90242 |
| OB | Palaeontological reports for former Overseas Geological Surveys (1965) by the British Museum (Natural History) | 01-JAN-1965 31-DEC-1965 | Numbered 1 to 30 | 90242 |
| PD | Biostratigraphical Research Group Reports | |||
| PI | Palaeontological Reports (Leeds) | |||
| PL | Biostratigraphy Research Group Reports | |||
| PS | Palaeontological Reports (London) | |||
| SS | Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Research Group Reports | 01-JAN-1990 | ||
| Activity I - Analytical Geochemistry (Previously Analytical & Applied Geochemistry) | ||||
| AC | Analytical Chemistry Research Group | 01-JAN-1968 | Formerly Analytical Chemistry Unit or Analytical and Ceramics Unit. Previous reports included in MD/SR (Activity F,Accno. add. .7). Numbered 1 to 131, then 84/2 onwards | 90244 |
| AD | Atomic Energy Division: Age determination reports | 01-JAN-1956 31-DEC-1962 | Numbered 1 to 22. Terminated | 90211 |
| AG | Mineral Resources and Applied Geochemistry. Research Group | 01-JAN-1950 31-DEC-1986 | Formerly Metalliferous Minerals and Applied Geochemistry Unit and, previously, Atomic Energy Division, GSGB. Also includes Radiology and Rare Minerals Unit. Numbered 1 to 342, with gaps. | 90213, 90237/3, 90246 |
| GE | Current Reviews of Geochemical Exploration - Computer Unit Bulletin IGS | 90237 | ||
| IG | Geochronology and Isotope Geochemistry Research Group | 01-JAN-1970 31-DEC-1983 | Formerly Isotope Geology Unit.Numbered 70/1 to 83/13, with gaps | |
| Activity J - Energy Resources | ||||
| GE | Geothermal Energy Research Programme | 01-JAN-1978 | Includes General reports, Low Enthalpy reports, Hot Dry Rock reports | 90208/1 |
| HC | Hydrocarbons | 01-JAN-1986 | ||
| Activity K - Regional Geophysics | ||||
| AG | Regional Geophysics Research Group: Applied Geophysics Series | 01-JAN-1970 31-DEC-1984 | Formerly Applied Geophysics Unit: Applied Geophysics Series. Superseded by GP/RGRG series. Numbered 1 to 161 | 90212/4 |
| GC | Regional Geophysics Research Group: Applied Geophysics Computer Reports | 01-JAN-1976 31-DEC-1979 | Formerly Applied Geophysics Unit. ?Terminated | |
| GD | Geophysical Division Reports | 01-JAN-1958 31-DEC-1962 | Terminated | 90212/2 |
| GO | Regional Geophysics Research Group: Geophysics Overseas Series | 01-JAN-1950 31-DEC-1970 | Formerly Applied Geophysics Unit: Geophysics Overseas Series. Subsequently included in GP/GPA and then GP/RGRG? Numbered 1C to 44C | |
| RG | Geophysics Directorate Reports: Regional Geophysics Research Group | 11-JAN-1984 | Continuation of GP/GPA (Applied Geophysics) series. Numbered la (1984), then 85/1 to 87/26 (with gaps) | 90212/5 |
| Activity L - Global Seismology | ||||
| GS | Global Seismology Research Group Reports | 01-JAN-1969 | Numbered 1 to 348, with gaps | 90226 |
| VS | Global Seismology Unit: Volnet Station Bulletins | 01-JAN-1983 31-DEC-1984 | Monthly issues. | 90226/1 |
| Activity M - Geomagnetism | ||||
| ES | Geomagnetism Research Group: preliminary magnetic results (Eskdalemuir) | 01-JAN-1980 | From 1980, monthly issues | |
| YTA GM | Geomagnetism Research Group Reports | 01-JAN-1969 | Numbered 1 to 29, then 83/13 to 87/25 | |
| HA | Geomagnetism Research Group: preliminary magnetic results (Hartland) | 01-JAN-1981 | From 1980, monthly issues | |
| LE | Geomagnetism Research Group: preliminary magnetic results (Lerwick) | 01-JAN-1980 | From 1980, monthly issues | |
| Activity N - Engineering Geology | ||||
| EG | Engineering Geology Unit Reports | 01-JAN-1970 31-DEC-1984 | Superseded by EG/RRP. Numbered 69/1 to 84/6 | 90223 |
| GL | Engineering Geology Unit: Geophysics Laboratory Report Series | 01-JAN-1969 31-DEC-1980 | Numbered 1 to 128, then 80/22 to 80/94 with large gaps | |
| OS | Engineering Geology Unit: Overseas Reports | 01-JAN-1972 31-DEC-1974 | 3 reports notified by Overseas Directorate | |
| RM | Engineering Geology Unit: Rock Mechanics Report Series | |||
| RR | Engineering Geology and Reservoir Rock Properties Research Group | 01-JAN-1985 | Formerly CS21 Research Group Supersedes EG series.. Numbered 85/1 to 86/9 (last number) | |
| SC | Engineering Geology, Scotland | Few reports only, discontinued | Ish | |
| Activity O - Information & Data Resources (Includes Marketing) | ||||
| IB | Information Sources (Bibliographic) | |||
| IC | Information Systems - Computer Applications Reports | 90236, 90236/2 | ||
| ID | Information Sources and Technology | 90236 | ||
| IS | Information Systems | |||
| Activity P - Applied Geochemistry - > Geochemistry | NOV 1944- | Older reports held under Activity I |