British Geological Survey publications – their characteristics and history

Introduction

As you would expect for an organization that has existed for 180 years there has been a great wealth of change in its publication history, itself inextricably linked to the history of the organization. This article provides a guide to the c 150 ‘series’ of publications. The ‘series’ are in many cases are well defined, with a formal series title and numbering system. Other series are more like groupings of like publications. More diffuse are those purely artificial ‘series’ of convenience that consist of publications that did not fall into any formal series and because of their number and diversity individual publications have been have been grouped into several artificial series. They can be easily identified as they start with the title: Non-series….. e.g. Non-series Palaeontological publications; Non-series publications dealing with the regional geology of Great Britain.

Most publications were issued by the Survey, some are publications that were issued by other bodies but which responsibility was subsumed by the Survey. A notable example is the publications of Imperial Institute/Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau. These were separate organizations whose geological functions were subsumed by the Survey and continue today in the form of BGS overseas and mineral statistics work. Likewise, a small number of publications are included where other organizations took over responsibility for some tasks from the Survey. In the case of compiling UK mineral statistics and lists of quarries these functions left and then came back to the Survey and so it is thought useful to include the full range of publications for continuity.

Many great classics of geological literature appear in these listings, too numerous to describe here, the reader is encouraged to browse the BGS publications viewer to see them. There are also many interesting and surprising gems to be found.

The British Geological Survey is currently in change with its publications, it is moving from traditional book publishing to digital web based publication channels. The first such channel is Earthwise https://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Main_Page

Classification of publications

There are many ways that these publication series and non-series publications could be organized. The one provided here is based loosely on the original historical organization of publications into Regional, General and Economic Memoirs. This is found in old publication catalogues. On top of that has been added the Overseas and Geochemical/Geophysical headings to bring it up to date.

The more classification is based on the very detailed publication classification/cataloguing work undertaken by the Survey Library/Geosystems in the 1970s and 80’s. The following are presented in this article:

1. There is a brief statement of the overall structure of publications with key example titles where necessary.
2. A detailed list of series laid out in the five main groupings together with a brief description of the series.

Overview of publication series

UK regional memoirs

UK regional memoirs covering all of the countries e.g. the regional guides and the Offshore regional reports.

UK regional geology – England and Wales

• District memoirs
• Old Series Sheet memoirs
• New Series sheet memoirs and their various recent incarnations, sheet descriptions and sheet explanations

UK regional geology – Scotland

• District memoirs
• Sheet memoirs and their various recent incarnations, sheet descriptions and sheet explanations

UK regional geology – Ireland

• District memoirs
• Sheet memoirs

UK regional geology – Northern Ireland

• District memoirs
• Sheet memoirs

Other series

• 1:25,000 explanations etc

General memoirs

Falling under the historical term ‘General memoirs’ is a wide range of publications that cover the following groups:* Annual reports under their different series: Annual report/Summary of progress/Annual report of the IGS/BGS series.

• Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain/Report Institute of Geological Sciences/BGS Reports – long running general series
• Palaeontology memoirs – the early Figures and descriptions of British Organic remains and the Palaeontology Monographs
• Catalogue of publications and guides to the Survey and the Museum
• Miscellaneous Survey publications ranging from the early printed
• ‘Regulations to the recent miscellaneous ‘Occasional publication Series and a whole host of more recent ‘popular publications’

Economic memoirs

National series such as the important:* Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain

• Wartime Pamphlet Geological Survey of Great Britain
• Mineral Dossier Mineral Resources Consultative Committee
• Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Report
• Coal and mineral economic memoirs, split unto UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
• Water/hydrogeology memoirs including the various well catalogue and inventory series
• UK Mineral statistics – from the very early Records of the School of Mines and ‘Hunts Mineral Statistics’ through to the current UK Mineral Yearbooks

Overseas

This section starts with the publications of the Imperial Institute/Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau and then runs into the publications of the Colonial Geological Survey/Overseas Geological Survey. It includes overseas geophysics. There are four sub-groups:* Annual reports of the various organizations

• Mineral resources, statistics and mining laws typically under the heading: Mineral Industry of the British Empire and foreign countries and its variants
• Modern mineral statistics publications (non-UK) typified by the series: World Mineral Statistics and specialist regional publications e.g. World Mineral Statistics - South American Mineral Production
• Journal type publication containing articles on minerals resources, mining and geology: Bulletin of the Imperial Institute; Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources; Overseas Memoir Institute of Geological Sciences

Geochemical and geophysical publications

Publications mostly emanating from the much enlarged Institute of Geological Sciences/British Geological Survey on geochemistry, geophysics, gravity, geothermal energy, geomagnetism and seismology.

Prior to these series results of UK geochemical/geophysical work was published in the general series such as Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Report Institute of Geological Sciences

Detailed guide to printed BGS publication series 1832-

UK regional memoirs

UK regional memoirs covering all of the countries e.g. the regional guides and the Offshore regional reports.

UK regional geology – England and Wales

• District memoirs
• Old Series Sheet memoirs

New Series sheet memoirs and their various recent incarnations, sheet descriptions and sheet explanations

UK regional geology – Scotland

District memoirs

Sheet memoirs and their various recent incarnations, sheet descriptions and sheet explanations

• UK regional geology – Ireland
• District memoirs
• Sheet memoirs

UK regional geology – Northern Ireland

• District memoirs
• Sheet memoirs

Other series

UK regional memoirs - UK wide regional memoirs

British Regional Geology (Regional Guides)

When the Museum of Practical Geology moved from Jermyn Street to the new premises in Exhibition Road in 1934 the second gallery had displays illustrating the geology of the UK divided into nineteen local regions. The then current Director of the Survey, John Flett, approved the preparation of a series of guides, one for each of the nineteen regions. These became one of the most popular series of publications the Survey has produced. They have run to many editions and are still a current and popular publication. Six for Scotland, thirteen for England and Wales, later, a similar publication for Northern Ireland was produced. South and North Wales both had separate regional guides recently they were merged into a new single edition covering the whole of Wales.

United Kingdom Offshore Regional Report

A series of eleven regional reports that describe the offshore geology of the United Kingdom. They complement the Regional Geology Guides which cover the onshore areas. They cover all aspects of the geology, from the most recent formed sediments to the deep structure of the crust and include a chapter on economic geology. Most were published between 1990 and 1995.

Subsurface geology memoirs

A relatively recent series published between 2000-2005. Only three works have been issued: Structure and evolution of the Craven Basin; Cheshire Basin; Structure and evolution of the south-west Pennine basin.

Non-series publications dealing with the regional geology of Great Britain

Individual memoir publications not falling into regular memoir series and issued between 1869 and 1956. The first was 'The Triassic and Permian rocks of the Midland counties of England'. Another, 'The eruptive rocks of Brent Tor' (1878) was an early memoir to contain coloured illustrations of rock thin sections - illustrating the results of the new technique of microscopy petrology. Another example is 'The geology of the Weald' Topley's famous memoir published in 1875.

Explanation of 1:25,000 Geological sheet

A small number of special sheets at the scale of 1:25,000 were produced between 1968 and 1974 of areas of great geological interest. Some were accompanied by explanatory booklets. This series was superceded by the newly entitled 'Classical Areas of British Geology' maps and explanatory texts.

Classical areas of British geology description of 1:25,000 Sheet

A series of maps under this heading has been produced at the detailed scale of 1:25,000 of areas of outstanding geological interest. Some areas are accompanied by explanatory booklets. The first booklet was produced in 1978 (Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed) and the series is still current with the latest produced 2006 on the Glencoe Caldera Volcano, Scotland. These booklets describe the background geology of local areas of particular scientific interest allied to a 1:25,000 map and are of general appeal to the amateur geologist, student or professional. They are aimed at the more popular end of the market and are issued intermittently.

UK regional memoirs – England and Wales – District memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (District)

Beginning with the Geological Survey's first memoir De la Beche's 'Report on the geology of Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset' this series is composed of monographs on a particular geographic/geological region. Two district memoirs were published as part of De la Beche's serial publication started in 1844: Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and of the Museum of Practical Geology. That is Geology of North Wales v. III (1866) and Geology of the London Basin v. IV (1872). All other District memoirs can be found in this series.

UK regional memoirs – England and Wales - Old Series Sheet memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of England and Wales (Sheet -Old Series)

One of Murchison's earliest reforms was to introduce sheet memoirs, or explanations to accompany individual one-inch geological maps. 'The first memoir in this series was: The geology of the country around Cheltenham, (Sheet 44). This series covers the 'Old Series' numbering. The series continues to the present day in the 'New Series' Sheet memoirs and the 1:50,000 sheet description and sheet explanation sub series.

Geological Survey of Great Britain Explanations of Horizontal and Vertical Sections

From a very early stage, the Survey produced a series of horizontal sections illustrative of the geological maps and vertical sections illustrative of the horizontal sections and geological maps. Most horizontal sections were drawn on the scale of six inches to a mile while the vertical sections were drawn on the scale of 40 feet to one inch. The horizontal sections were frequently accompanied by these short explanations in booklet form of two to fifteen pages long and published between 1859 and 1891.

UK regional memoirs – England and Wales - New Series/1:50,000 sheet memoirs and recent formats, the sheet descriptions and sheet explanations

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, England and Wales (Sheet - New Series)

When the geological mapping of England and Wales moved onto the 'New Series' base maps and the consequent change of sheetlines and sheet numbers, the sheet memoirs followed suit. This series covers those memoirs issued with New Series numbers whether 1:63,360 or 1:50,000 scale. This series is still current. While differing in style over their long history, the stated aim of the later memoirs was to provide an objective and comprehensive account of the geology of the published 1:50,000 map area. They were designed to be read in conjunction with the map, though they also contained enough geographical information to allow them to be read alone. See also the earlier sheet memoir series based on the Old Series numbering and the recent 'Sheet descriptions' and 'Sheet explanations' series.

Sheet descriptions England and Wales (1:50,000 maps)

Sheet descriptions and Sheet explanations are gradually being introduced in place of memoirs. Sheet explanations give a concise account of a geological sheet district in the form of an A5 sized booklet. Many are available in a pack with the accompanying map. Sheet descriptions contain additional, more detailed information and are produced as print¬on-demand (POD) A4 reports or on CD.

Sheet explanations England and Wales (1:50,000 maps)

Sheet descriptions and Sheet explanations are gradually being introduced in place of memoirs. Sheet explanations give a concise account of a geological sheet district in the form of an A5 sized booklet. Many are available in a pack with the accompanying map. Sheet descriptions contain additional, more detailed information and are produced as print¬on-demand (POD) A4 reports or on CD.

UK regional memoirs – Scotland – District memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Scotland) (District)

Runs in parallel with the English 'District' memoirs. The first Scottish District memoir is the 1866 Geology of East Lothian. The great classics of Scottish geology were issued in this series, notably Peach and Horne's 'The geological structure of the north-west highlands of Scotland' and 'The Tertiary igneous rocks of Skye'.

UK regional memoirs – Scotland – Sheet memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Scotland) (Sheet)

This series of sheet memoirs, or explanations was first issued to accompany individual one-inch geological maps. The first Scottish sheet memoir was 'The geology of the neighbourhood of Edinburgh (map 32)' published in 1861. The series continues to the present day.

Sheet descriptions Scotland (1:50,000 maps)

Sheet descriptions and Sheet explanations are gradually being introduced in place of memoirs. Sheet explanations give a concise account of a geological sheet district in the form of an A5 sized booklet. Many are available in a pack with the accompanying map. Sheet descriptions contain additional, more detailed information than that found in the Sheet explanations and are produced as print-on-demand (POD) A4 reports or on CD.

Explanations for 1 50,000 Geological Sheet Scotland

A forerunner of the much later series of brief sheet explanations, only one was published,

for Girvan sheet 7. 1986.

Sheet explanations Scotland (1:50,000 maps)

Sheet descriptions and Sheet explanations are gradually being introduced in place of memoirs. Sheet explanations give a concise account of a geological sheet district in the form of an A5 sized booklet. Many are available in a pack with the accompanying map. Sheet descriptions contain additional, more detailed information and are produced as print¬on-demand (POD) A4 reports or on CD.

UK regional memoirs – Ireland – District memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Ireland (District)

A small number of 'district' memoirs were produced that covered the area of 'special sheets'. They ranged from memoirs on the Leinster coalfield (1881) to memoirs for the special district sheets of Belfast (1904); Cork (1905); Limerick (1907) and Londonderry (1908). No other memoirs were issued.

UK regional memoirs – Ireland – Sheet memoirs

Murchison wrote to all staff on 1st December 1855 explaining that every one-inch geological sheet should be accompanied by an explanatory memoir. The first Irish memoir was for sheet 45SE (later redesignated as sheet 166) covering southern County Tipperary and north west County Waterford. Early memoirs came out with the title 'Data and descriptions', by 1859 they were entitled 'Explanations' and consisted of about 40 pages. Print runs were very low normally about 250.

UK regional memoirs – Northern Ireland memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (Sheet)

Sheet memoirs to accompany the 1:63,360/1:50,000 Geological maps issued by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and published between 1961 and 1999.

Non-series publications dealing with the regional geology of Ireland

There is only one publication in this series: 'A description of the soil-geology of Ireland based upon geological survey maps and records, with notes on climate' (1907). Following the completion of the solid geology mapping a decade earlier and then the organizational split with the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom in 1905 there was a period of re-orientation for the Survey. One of the areas of interest was soil geology to support Ireland's agriculture. This work was based on the Survey's earlier soil work but it was hoped its publication would generate interest for further involvement of the Survey with soils.

General memoirs

Falling under the historical term ‘General memoirs’ is a wide range of publications that cover the following groups:

• Early general memoirs
• Annual reports under their different series: Annual report/Summary of progress/Annual report of the IGS/BGS series.
• Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain/Report Institute of Geological Sciences/BGS Reports – long running general series
• Palaeontology memoirs – the early Figures and descriptions of British Organic remains and the Palaeontology Monographs
• Catalogue of publications and guides to the Survey and the Museum
• Miscellaneous Survey publications ranging from the early printed ‘Regulations to the recent miscellaneous ‘Occasional publication Series and a whole host of more recent ‘popular publications’

General memoirs – early works

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and of the Museum of Practical Geology

A serial publication begun by De la Beche in 1846. Each volume contains separate 'essays' or articles, similar to the journals the learned societies were publishing. The series consisted of the following Volume 1; Volume 2 part 1; Volume 2 Part 2.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (Stratigraphical monographs)

Geikie outlined his programme in the Annual Report for 1883. It included the preparation of a series of full stratigraphical monographs dealing with individual geological systems. These were: The Pliocene deposits of Britain (1890); The Cretaceous rocks of Britain, vols. I-III 1900-1904; The Jurassic rocks of Britain vols. I-V; The Silurian rocks of Britain vol. I, Scotland 1899.

General memoirs – Annual reports of the Geological Survey/Institute of Geological Sciences/British Geological Survey

Annual Report of the Geological Survey and Museum

The annual reports of the Geological Survey and other component bodies at various times, Museum of Practical Geology, Government School of Mines and of Science Applied to Arts (Royal School of Mines) Mining Record Office were issued as an appendix to the parent organization (Science and Art Department etc.) and were published for the reporting years 1854 to 1896. For the year 1892 the annual report contained a section headed 'Record of geological work' giving a more detailed account of geological work done. This was supeceded by a new format: Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey for 1897.

Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom

The annual report of the Survey under a new title. A noted development from the previous annual report series is the addition of detailed articles on geological topics. For years 1891 to 1900. Continues as Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom and Museum of Practical Geology from 1901.

Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom and Museum of Practical Geology

A continuation of the 'Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom' under a slightly altered title. For years 1901 to 1905. Continues as Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum of Practical Geology from 1906.

Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum of Practical Geology

A continuation of the 'Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom and Museum of Practical Geology' under a slightly different title that reflects the transfer of the Irish Survey out of the organization in 1905. The first issue was in 1965 with the formation of the Institute of Geological Sciences. This series was superceded by the 'Annual Report Institute of Geological Sciences' and then British Geological Survey Annual Report.

Annual Report Institute of Geological Sciences

Formerly the 'Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum of Practical Geology' on the name change to British Geological Survey this series continued as British Geological Survey Annual Report.

Annual Report British Geological Survey

In 1983 the Institute of Geological Sciences was renamed to British Geological Survey, with it, there was a change in title of the Annual Report.

General memoirs – Bulletin GSGB/Report IGS/BGS series

Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain

The Summary of Progress, the Survey's annual report, was issued in several parts each year, one part a formal annual report the other being a journal holding scientific papers. In the early years the papers were held in the appendix and from 1927-1936 they were issued as Part ii or Part iii of the Summary of Progress. To give greater visibility to the part holding the articles E.B. Bailey changed the title to the Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. Nos. 1 and 2 appeared in 1939, just before the series was interrupted due to the Second World War. The Bulletin series ran to volume 69 (1978) though one more issue came out as a special issue on the 'Mesozoic and Tertiary volcanism in the North Atlantic and neighbouring regions : Proceedings of the Flett Symposium, November 1976'.

Report Institute of Geological Sciences

A series of reports on a wide range of onshore and offshore topics akin to articles. Reports had a year designation and then a running number e.g. 69/1, 69/2 etc. Some issues has a separate numbered sub-series as 'IGS short communications' consisting of a number of short articles. The series started with 69/1 and ended with 83/11. It was superceded in the same format but with a different numbering system by the BGS report series.

BGS Reports

This series follows on without a break from the earlier Report Institute of Geological Sciences. The numbering system changed from a Year/Part number to a Volume/Part number format. The first issue was v. 16/1 1984 and the last CG19/4 1987. This series was superceded by the Research Report series c. 1988 but was never as prolific in terms of numbers issued.

General memoirs – Palaeontology memoirs

Figures and Descriptions of British Organic Remains Decades, Memoirs (Palaeontology) of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom

Figures and Descriptions of British Organic Remains is a series on palaeontological subjects begun by De la Beche in 1844. Each issue contains ten plates and is called a 'Decade'. The first four Decades were by Forbes, the last, No. 13 was published in 1872.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (Palaeontology Monographs)

A series of four palaeontology monographs published between 1859 and 1878. The first, Monograph I by Huxley was devoted to the genus Pterygotus. Others were published on the Belemnitidae, the crocodilian remains found in the Elgin Sandstones and the last monograph is number IV 'The chimaeroid fishes of the British Cretaceous rocks'.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey: Palaeontology Monographs

A new series of palaeontology monographs was started in 1908 with B.N. Peach's 'Higher Crustacea of the Carboniferous rocks of Scotland'. Volume 2, 1924 saw the start of Kidston's 'Fossil plants of the Carboniferous rocks of Great Britain' which ran to six substantial parts, the later ones were by Robert Crookall. The monograph, Volume 4 (part 1) was published in 1976.

Non-series Palaeontological publications

A small number of palaeontological memoirs fitting in no regular series were produced, the first in 1841 - 'Figures and description of the Palaeozoic fossils of Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset' by John Phillips. This was the Survey's second memoir and it was a substantial work discussing the age significance of the pre-Culm-Measure fossils. A second memoir on 'The Vertebrata of the Forest Bed Series of Norfolk and Suffolk'. A third palaeontology memoir 'The vertebrata of the Pliocene deposits of Britain' 1891 is classified as part of the 'Stratigraphical Memoirs'.

General memoirs – catalogues of publications and guides to the Museum

Publications

Catalogues of publications of the Geological Survey

The Survey from an early date issued a published catalogue of its maps, memoirs, sections and other publications. They were published at irregular intervals though over some time periods they were annual publications.

Quote from the Charles Close Society. Ordnance Survey catalogues: 'The Geological Page 16

Survey soon followed the example of the Ordnance Survey, and issued their first catalogue in 1863. From the start the same catalogue covered publications in all parts of the United Kingdom. These seem to have been updated relatively frequently until 1884, after which they formed what is apparently the sixth section of a larger publication. This arrangement ended in 1901, when Geological Survey sales were transferred to the Ordnance Survey. The Ordnance Survey became responsible for issuing supplements to the Geological Survey catalogue, something they continued to do until about 1990, but publication by the Geological Survey of the catalogues themselves continued until 1937. Publications relevant to geology in Ireland were removed in 1925. It appears that there were no more full catalogues until the start of the modern sequence in 1986, though new publications were notified in a Government document – List No.45, which made frequent appearances from 1950 to at least 1996.'

Catalogues of publications of the Geological Survey (Scotland)

Regional publication catalogues issued for Scotland 1868-1884.

Catalogues of publications and collections of the Geological Survey in Scotland

Only one item was published: Index maps showing six-inch geological coverage of published maps and reference maps (of Scotland) (1971).

Catalogues of publications and collections of the Geological Survey in Ireland

A small range of assorted publications: List of papers covering the geology of Northern Ireland; Catalogue of books in the Survey Library and a few catalogues of publications. (1906, 1915.) Some catalogues were issued after the Geological Survey in Ireland moved from under the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland in 1906. The catalogues are listed for completeness and reference]

Catalogues of geological photographs prepared by the Geological Survey and Museum

The first official geological photographs were taken in 1891 in the north-west of Scotland, later in 1902 the first English Survey geological photograph was taken. In 1910 two printed catalogues were published listing the photographs that had been taken up to that date for England and Wales, and Scotland. In 1928 the Survey published 'Classified lists of geological photographs' which highlighted the best photographs for a wide range of geological subjects listed in a hierarchical classification. Other editions were published in 1952 and 1963 with more up to date selections of images. No further published catalogues of photographs were produced after this date.

Catalogues of the Library of the Mining Record Office, Museum of Practical Geology and Geological Survey

In 1878 a printed catalogue of the holdings of the Survey Library was published.

Sectional list No. 45. Geological Survey and Museum

A HMSO publication listing the publications of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. Title varies over time with changes in name of the organization. The first know Sectional list 45 is dated 1950, the last January 1996. It was thought to be issued annually.

Museum guides

General guides to the Museum of Practical Geology/Geological Museum

The Museum of Practical Geology opened its doors for the first time in 1851. In 1935 it moved to South Kensington where it stayed as part of the Survey until the move of the headquarters to Keyworth when ownership of the Museum (now known as the Geological Museum) was passed to the Natural History Museum. This series is a set of general guides to the museum and published between 1851 to 1974.

Guides to specific exhibits in the Museum of Practical Geology/Geological Museum

An interesting collection of museum guides to specific exhibits. They include guides to clays and plastic strata of Great Britain, fossils, gemstones, the geological column, marbles; minerals, pottery and rock specimens. They were published between 1853 and 1983 some running into numerous editions.

Guides to geological models in the Museum of Practical Geology/Geological Museum

A number of large three-dimensional models of important areas were on display in the Museum. Specific guides were published to describe the models. The first was a general guide to all the models in the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street and dated 1865, others were somewhat later between 1906 and 1932 and covered Assynt Mountains, Ardnamurchan, Ingleborough and district, the Thames Valley and the Isle of Purbeck.

Non-series publications of the Geological Museum

An interesting range of museum publications from the 1879 publication on 'The manufacture of gun-flints' to the 1960-1981 popular publications such as 'The story of the earth', 'Britain before Man' and others.

Non-series guides to geological walks organised by the Geological Museum

Three guides covering building stone 'geological walks' in South Kensington, South Bank and Bond Street. Popular publications.

General memoirs – miscellaneous publications

Report of the Departmental Committee on the Science Museum and the Geological Museum

Report of the Departmental Committee on the Science Museum and the Geological Museum parts 1 and 2 issued 1911 and 1912 respectively.

Non-series publications concerning the Geological Survey/Institute of Geological Sciences

Two publications about the Survey, one published 1867 about the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, and its connection with the Museum of Irish Industry in Dublin, and that of Practical Geology in London; the other 1972 about services and facilities of the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Regulations. Geological Survey

A publication produced for the guidance of the Officers of the Geological Survey. It describes a summary of duties for the different grades of geologist. How to undertake fieldwork and indoor work. It also explains various administrative rules and procedures, rates of pay, expenses and allowances; leave of absence, sick leave etc; maps, stationery and stores; communications to learned societies, public bodies etc; promotion and transference and retirement. Various editions were published between 1867-1924.

Miscellaneous publications of the Geological Survey/Institute of Geological Sciences

A unnumbered series of one-off publications on a wide range of scientific, popular or organizational subjects. The series extends from the 1852 'Industrial instruction on the Continent' through popular publications such as the 1988 'Ancestral voices - an introduction to building stones' to the 2008 Bedrock geology UK South and North publications - the text explanations for the 1:625,000 geological maps.

Miscellaneous publications, BGS - strategy documents

A miscellaneous collection of irregularly produced documents outlining BGS strategy e.g. Five-year plans.

Ignis fatuus

An informal staff newsletter first issued round about the major move of the Survey headquarters from Exhibition Road to Keyworth. It is a great informal insight in the issues and personalities at the time and is often quite scurrilous! Not formally published.

Non-series publications concerning the Geological Survey/Institute of Geological Sciences in Scotland

A series of four popular publications produced in 1977 and 1980. They cover: A History of the Geological Survey in Scotland; Murchison House; Ben Peach; and IGS in Scotland.

British Geological Survey Occasional Publications

A catch-all numbered series for one-off publications that do not easily fit into other publication series. They include Peter Allen's book on the recent history of the Survey 'A geological survey in transition', facsimile reprints such as 'Murchison's wanderings in Russia' and scientific reports such as 'Best practice for the storage of CO2 in saline aquifers'.

UKOOA Lithostratigraphic Nomenclature

Lithostratigraphic nomenclature volumes were produced by BGS in association with the UK Offshore Operators’ Association. They are in the form of atlases which provide stratigraphical correlations across the North Sea Basin. These are large format A3 packs.

General memoirs - Research report series

Research Reports and Technical Reports are 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. These reports can be classed as more substantial works in the internal Technical report series, however, as they were formally published with print runs they are included in this list.

Research Report Onshore Geology Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Onshore Geology. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SA/89/1.

Research Report Offshore Geology Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Offshore Geology. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SB/90/1.

Research Report Overseas Geology Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Overseas Geology. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SC/93/1.

Research Report Hydrogeology Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Hydrogeology. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SD/89/1.

Research Report Minerals Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Minerals. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SF/98/1.

Research Report Mineralogy and Petrology Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Mineralogy & Petrology. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SG/89/1.

Research Report Stratigraphy Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Stratigraphy. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SH/89/1.

Research Report Geochemistry Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Geochemistry. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SI/92/1.

Research Report Applied Geochemistry Series

This series covers those under the activity heading Applied Geochemistry. Reports are numbered in the format: Report SP/94/1.

Research Reports

In the year 2000 the former Research Reports and Technical Reports were updated. The former Research Reports issued under separate activity headings e.g. SA, SB, SC etc. were combined into a single Research Report series with continuous numbering within a given year in format RR/00/01. As with the earlier series they were created to publication quality.

General memoirs – recent popular publications

Local Geology Guides

A series of local geology guides some with accompanying map. Titles usually start with: Exploring the geology of… or, A geological walk around…

Earthwise Books

A range of popular non-specialist books on different themes from Yorkshire rock to Whisky on the rocks. They provide well illustrated geological information presented in a clear and concise manner. Part of the Earthwise series.

Earthwise Discovering Geology Guidecards

A richly illustrated set of guide-cards with many colour diagrams and photographs. They cover a range of titles from Geology and building stones in Wales, Cornish pebbles and a range of cards on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. They are produced as folded A3 laminated cards.

Discovering Geology Fossil Focus Guidecards

Concise guide-cards providing a wealth of information on major fossil groups found in Britain and Europe. They are richly illustrated with many colour diagrams and photographs and are produced as folded A3 laminated cards. All the main fossil types are represented, ammonites, belemnites, brachiopods, bivalves, corals, crinoids, echinoids, fish foraminifera, fish, gasteropods, graptolites ostracods, plants and trilobites.

Earthwise Holiday Geology Guides and Maps

These concise guide-cards provide information on the geology of many popular tourist areas of England. The Holiday Geology Guides provide an illustrated description of a district, Holiday Geology Maps show the geology superimposed on the topography. Part of the Earthwise series of non-technical books and guides. They are richly illustrated with many colour diagrams and photographs and are produced as folded A3 laminated cards.

Earthwise, Magazine of the British Geological Survey

A free full-colour magazine that is published twice a year and has been issued in print and PDF formats. The magazine is primarily aimed at professional geologists in industry and government scientists. Each issue focuses on the Survey's activities and expertise within a different theme such as minerals, sustainability, geohazards, health or planning.

Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Guide-cards

A set of eight guide cards each provided in a plastic wallet. They form a popular publication series in a larger format foldout card series fully illustrated in colour.

Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Leisure Guides

Only one publication was produced in this series, the 1999 'A story through time - formation of scenic landscapes of Ireland (North)' (GSNI) .

Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Walkers and Explorers guide

A set of popular publications designed for walkers and those exploring the Irish countryside. The series is produced jointly by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and the Geological Survey of Ireland.

Economic memoirs – United Kingdom

• National series such as the important: Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain; Wartime Pamphlet Geological Survey of Great Britain; Mineral Dossier Mineral Resources Consultative Committee; Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Report
• Coal and mineral economic memoirs, split unto UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
• Water/hydrogeology memoirs including the various well catalogue and inventory series
• UK Mineral statistics – from the very early Records of the School of Mines and ‘Hunts Mineral Statistics’ through to the current UK Mineral Yearbooks

Economic memoirs – national series

Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain

The Special Reports constitute Strahan's outstanding achievement as Director. Bailey called them 'modern Domesday Book dealing with the country's resources of minerals, other than coal'. They were published as volumes numbered according to order of issue. The series was started as part of the War effort, however Strahan tells us, the driver was not only the 'shortage of some materials as a result of the War, but also an expectation of fuller utilization of home-sources after the War.' A successful series that provided 37 volumes, many running to second and third editions. The series ceased in 1956.

Wartime Pamphlet Geological Survey of Great Britain

With the onset of the Second World War it was open to the Survey to contribute to the war effort by producing a succession of memoirs comparable with Strahan's Special Reports on Mineral Resources that were begun during the First World War. However, as publications of that length would take a long time to publish and longer to print the Survey accepted an alternative based on an offer by the Stationery Office to produce a quick succession of multigraphed reports short, and with adequate illustrations. The resultant Wartime Pamphlets were numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals. They were often but not always issued in several separate parts and numbered with Roman numerals. Ninety-three out of a total of 107 parts came out during the War years. Just under half were on water, others ranged from limestones, refractories, iron ores, phosphates, feldspars, mica, sand and gravel, barytes, diatomite, glauconite, ochre, peat, slate, tin and a general one on mineral resources of the Lothians.

Mineral Dossier Mineral Resources Consultative Committee

The Mineral Resources Consultative Committee was set up in 1967 to keep present and future requirements for minerals under review and to identify problems associated with availability, exploitation and use of mineral resources, both inland and offshore. The dossiers bring together information that was previously scattered and difficult to find. They cover a range of commodities and were issued between 1971 to 1984.

Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Report

Issued between 1975-1997 in a numbered series 1-146, the Mineral Reconnaissance Programme (MRP) provided geological, geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical and metallogenic information on prospective areas in Britain.

Assessment of British Sand and Gravel Resources

A series produced by the Industrial Minerals Assessment Unit. These early issues were designated in the IGS Report series.

Mineral Assessment Report Institute of Geological Sciences

A continuation of the Assessment of British Sand and Gravel Resources - up to No. 143. Also covered a few other bulk mineral resources such as limestone. A few more trickled out as internal reports for Scotland in a different format and numbered 145-149.

Sources of road aggregate in Great Britain

A series of editions under the same title was issued from the first edition in 1948 to the fourth edition 1968. Published by the HMSO, they were jointly compiled by the Road Research Laboratory and the Geological Survey and Museum/Institute of Geological Sciences. They comprise lists of the larger roadstone quarries and gravel pits. Later editions included a list of sources of road-making slags.

Mineral profiles

A series of recently produced brief reports on important minerals available free as PDF documents.

UK mineral resources (non-series publications)

Just one historical item published in 1856: 'A return on the quantities of coal, iron ore, copper ore, lead ore, tin ore, silver, zinc ores, salt and other minerals, raised in each of the mining counties of the United Kingdom, for the years 1854 and 1855 respectively'.

Economic memoirs – regional

England and Wales

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (Economic)

A long running grouping of non-coal and mostly metallic mineral memoirs spanning the period from 1856 to 1990. The first four volumes between 1856-61 were the Iron Ores of Great Britain. There was a big gap until 1948 and the Geology of the Northern Pennine Orefield followed by two memoirs on the Northampton Sand Ironstone and another on the Liassic Ironstones.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (Coalfield)

A series of coalfield memoirs for England and Wales issued between 1859 (South Staffordshire) and 1990 (South Wales). A long running series with issues coming out at irregular intervals. Most were very comprehensive accounts of a coalfield. For the larger coalfields they would often be issued as multi-volume works.

Scotland

Memoirs of the Geological Survey Scotland (Economic)

The Scottish economic memoirs published between 1906 and 1961 cover mostly the coalfields. Ayshire in four volumes; Central in nine; Fife in three; Sanquhar, Midlothian and Stirling/Clackmannan one a piece. The other two memoirs were 'The oil-shales of the Lothians' running to three editions and the 1922 memoir on the Ayrshire bauxitic clay.

Coalfield Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain [Scotland]

Only two publications were issued in this large (foolscap) size work: The economic geology of the Stirling and Clackmannan Coalfield, Scotland. Their purpose was to supplement the Economic Geology of the Stirling and Clackmannan Coalfield (1932) following a revision of the geology undertaken between 1952 and 1955 by Mr. W.A. Read.

Ireland and Northern Ireland

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Ireland (Economic)

Memoirs loosely classed as economic were produced. After the first, the 1843 Report on the geology of the County of Londonderry and of parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh the rest were published between 1910 and 1923. One, 'On rock specimens dredged from the floor of the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland, and their bearing on submarine geology' is notable as it is the first memoir on offshore geology. Others covered iron ores and bauxites, barytes and minerals of economic importance, and metalliferous mines.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland: Mineral Resources

Just one memoir in this series was produced: 'The composition and origin of the Antrim laterites and bauxites' published in 1952.

Economic memoirs - hydrogeology

Memoirs of the Geological Survey (Water Supply)

A long running series started in 1899 with the 'Water supply of Sussex from underground sources'. Over a period of 39 years twenty-eight memoirs were published mostly under the title: 'Wells and springs of…'. They were based on a county basis. The last county based water memoir was published in 1938 was the last revision of 'The water supply of the County of London'. This was notable as it was the first to include location diagrams for the sites of all recorded wells. This series was superceded by one-inch sheet based reports, first in the Wartime Pamphlets and later in the 1960s by the Well Catalogue Series Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain for England and Wales and for Scotland.

Well Catalogue Series Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (England and Wales)

A Ministry of Health committee, the 'Inland Water Survey Committee' recommended that work on the underground water could be best undertaken by the Geological Survey. A new Water Department was established by the Survey in 1936 and in response to the Ministry's representation, the county system of data collection was abandoned and replaced with one based on the one-inch geological maps. During the war and into the 1950s these were produced as part of the Wartime pamphlet series however in 1964 after the Water Resources Act of 1973 a formal series was started that published the results of the collection of data about wells and aquifers. They were usually issued under the title: 'Records of wells in the area of of new series one inch (geological)…'. The series ran from 1964-1970 when with a bit of overlap they were superceded by the Well Inventory Series Metric Units Institute of Geological Sciences.

Well Inventory Series (Metric Units) Institute of Geological Sciences

Continues from the Well Catalogue Series Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. A series that continues to publish the results of the collection of data about wells and aquifers from 1973 to 1981. All issues were for sheet areas in southern and eastern England. The significant feature of this series was that they were produced by computer and presented data from the National Well Record Collection in metric units. Computer tapes were processed on a phototypesetter.

Well Catalogue Series Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Scotland)

A parallel series for Scotland to the English: Well Catalogue Series Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (England and Wales) issued between 1963 and 1972. Titles start: 'Records of wells in the areas of Scottish one-inch geological sheets followed by the sheet name and one-inch map sheet number'.

Hydrogeological Report of the Geological Survey of Great Britain

A miscellaneous series of reports on hydrogeological subjects. Only three reports were produced. The series continues as Hydrogeological Report of the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Hydrogeological Report of the Institute of Geological Sciences

A miscellaneous series of reports on hydrogeological subjects. Only two reports were produced. The series replaces Hydrogeological Report of the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

Research Report, Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain

A series of Water Supply Papers isssued by the Geological Survey. Their purpose was to present a summary of research undertaken into ground-water conditions in particular areas and to assist in the assessments of ground-water resources and their possible development. Three reports were produced between 1964 and 1967. Continued as 'Research Report Water Supply Papers of the Institute of Geological Sciences'.

Research Report Water Supply Papers of the Institute of Geological Sciences

A continuation of the previously issued series 'Research Report, Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain' after the formation of the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Technical Communication Water Supply Papers of the Institute of Geological Sciences

Water Supply Papers of the Geological Survey of Great Britain have been issued in three series, Research Reports, Hydrological Reports and Well Catalogues. The Technical Communications is the fourth series. It was created to publish the results of studies not appropriate to the first three series. Only two publications were issued in 1964 and 1970.

Non-series publications on hydrology and hydrogeology

The first war-inspired publication of the Survey appeared in 1914, a useful twopenny pamphlet entitled: Sources of Temporary Water Supply in the South of England and the Neighbouring Parts of the Continent. It followed naturally on unpublished Notes furnished to the Army describing how to obtain drinking water at short notice from the Chalk and Tertiary strata of the Western Front. There is only the one publication in this category.

Economic memoirs – mineral statistics and directories of mines and quarries

Records of the School of Mines and of Science Applied to the Arts

In 1851 the Geological Survey, Museum of Practical Geology, Mining Records Office and the Government School of Mines and of Science Applied to the Arts moved to new premises in Jermyn Street. The following year De la Beche started a new series of publications: Records of the School of Mines and of Science Applied to the Arts. Volume I Part I. preserves the 'Inaugral and introductory lectures to the courses for the session 1851- 2'. Volume I Part II was 'The Geology of the South Staffordshire Coalfield', Volume 1 Part III on the mines of Wicklow and Wexford. Volume I Part IV was a volume of mineral statistics by Robert Hunt, the Keeper of Mining Records. Part IV marks the end of this 'Records' series though Hunt continued mining statistics under another series up to 1880.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Mining Records)

A series of memoirs on the mineral statistics of Great Britain and Ireland starting for year 1853-54 and running to 1859. They were compiled by the Mining Records Office, which was a component part of the early Survey. Prior to the start of this series mining statistics were published in: Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and of the Museum of Practical Geology Volume II part II. This was followed by Records of the School of Mines and of Science Applied to the Arts Volume 1. Part 4. which had a section entitled 'Statistics of the produce of copper, tin, lead and silver from the mines of the United Kingdom, with the exports and imports of these metals for 1848 to 1852 inclusive'. For the years after this series see 'Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain And Ireland' 1860-1881

Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Often known as 'Hunts Mineral Statistics' after Robert Hunt who lead a team in their compilation within the Geological Survey. They were published between 1860 and 1881 when responsibility for the Mining Records office passed to the Mines Department of the Home Office and statistics were issued as Parliamentary Papers. Previously: Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Mining Records).

Home Office titles

Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. [Home Office, Inspector of Mines]

Responsibility for the Mining Records Office passed from the Geological Survey to the Mines Department of the Home Office. The Mines Department continued compiling mineral statistics under the same title. Hunt's team moved to the Mines Department and continued in the preparation of the statistics. These issues were now published as Parliamentary Papers. For 1893 the title changed to 'Summaries of the Reports of the Inspectors of Mines to Her Majesty's Secretary of State, and the Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, including Lists of Mines and Mineral Works' 1982

Summaries of the Reports of the Inspectors of Mines to Her Majesty's Secretary of State, and the Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, including Lists of Mines and Mineral Works

In 1893 the title of the long running mineral statistics series changed to 'Summaries of the Reports of the Inspectors of Mines to Her Majesty's Secretary of State, and the Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, including Lists of Mines and Mineral Works. Continues the series previously compiled by the Mines Department of the Home Office and issued as Parliamentary Papers.

Mines and Minerals. Mining and mineral statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, including lists of mines and mineral works. (Prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, Home Office)

Mineral statistics continued to be published for the years 1884 to 1887 under a title change. Previous title: Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland., Changes were made to the content: 'During these years the volumes included returns of a) the quantity and value of all minerals wrought b) the numbers of people employed in and about the mines and open works c) the number of fatal accidents in the mines d) a list of the mine owners, managers and agents e) a list of the recorded plans of abandoned mines that had been deposited at the Home Office f) an appendix showing the production of minerals in the British colonies and possessions'. - Univeristy of Exeter

Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with the Isle of Man. [Prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, Home Office]

Mineral statistics continued to be published for the years 1888 to 1896 under a changed title. Previous title: Mines and Minerals. Mining and mineral statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, including lists of mines and mineral works. The content also changed, the following were dropped: 1. The details of accidents in the mines (to be published separately). 2. The List of Mines, this appeared as an appendix in earlier volumes and had appeared since 1853 for coal mines, 1859 for most metalliferous mines and 1863 for Iron mines. The list of mines was also destined to be published seperately for the year 1899 onwards under the title: List of Mines in Great Britain and Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Mines and quarries: General report and statistics. Part I: District statistics; Part II: Labour; Part III: Output; Part IV: Colonial and foreign statistics. [Prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, Home Office]

Mineral statistics continued to be published for the years 1897 to 1921 in the publication Mines and quarries: General report and statistics. The important section for UK mineral statistics was: Part III Output: General Report and Statistics Relating to the Output and Value of the Mineral Raised in the United Kingdom, the Amount and Value of the Metals Produced and the Exports and Imports of Minerals.

Annual report of the Secretary for Mines for the year ending .... and the Annual report of H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines for the same period with a statistical appendix to both reports. [Prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, Home Office]

The previously issued 'Mines and quarries: General report and statistics' was issued under a new title. Issued between 1922-1968?

• Responsibility for the Mining Records Office passed from the Geological Survey to the Mines Department of the Home Office
• Home Office, Mines Department and Inspectorate, 1881-1920
• Mines Department, Mines Inspectorate, 1920-1942
• Ministry of Fuel and Power, Mines Inspectorate, 1942-1957
• Ministry of Power, Mines Inspectorate, 1957-1969
• 1969, the Inspectorate subsequently came under the Ministry of Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry before passing to the Health and Safety Executive (1975)

British Geological Survey titles

United Kingdom Mineral Statistics

A resumption of UK mineral statistics publications began in the British Geological Survey in 1973 with this annual digest of domestic mineral production and continues to the present day. It changed its name to United Kingdom Minerals Yearbook in 1988

United Kingdom Minerals Yearbook

Formerly the United Kingdom Mineral Statistics this series runs to the present day. An annual publication providing comprehensive statistical data on mineral production, consumption and trade.

Directory of Mines and Quarries

Provides information on active mines and quarries in Britain including those in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Information presented includes, name, location, ownership, Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) and basic geology.

Overseas

This section starts with the early Survey publications then into publications of the Imperial Institute/Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau and then runs into the publications of the Colonial Geological Survey/Overseas Geological Survey. It includes overseas geophysics. There are five sub-groups:

• Early memoirs
• Annual reports of the various organizations • Mineral resources, statistics and mining laws typically under the heading:
• Mineral Industry of the British Empire and foreign countries and its variants
• Modern mineral statistics publications (non-UK) typified by the series: World Mineral Statistics and specialist regional publications e.g. World Mineral Statistics - South American Mineral Production
• Journal type publication containing articles on minerals resources, mining and geology: Bulletin of the Imperial Institute; Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources; Overseas Memoir Institute of Geological Sciences

Overseas – early memoirs

Memoirs of the Geological Survey, (District memoirs: colonies)

An interesting series of little known publications on overseas work undertaken by the early Geological Survey. Only three publications were issued: Report on the geology of Trinidad (1860); Reports on the geology of Jamaica (1869); Reports on the physical, descriptive and economic geology of British Guiana (1875). Later overseas work was undertaken by the Imperial Institute until its successors (Colonial Geological Survey/Overseas Geological Survey) merged with the Institute of Geological Sciences in 1965.

Annual reports of Imperial Institute through to the Overseas Geological Suveys

Annual Report Imperial Institute

The Imperial Institute was established in 1887 to promote research that would benefit the Empire. While completely separate from the Geological Survey, there is a direct lineage of the overseas work of BGS derives from the former Imperial Institute. There was a strong focus on mineral statistics, mineral surveys and research and identification. This publication is the annual report of activities. Annual reports were published from 1926. Prior to that earlier annual reports of the Imperial Institute were published in the Colonial Reports ¬Annual series (and the Annual Report of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau). From 1957 onwards the Institute was renamed the Commonwealth Institute, and a new series of annual reports was started.

Progress Report of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau

The Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau was a short lived organization established by the Government in 1919 and reporting to the Lord President of the Council - a member of the Cabinet who presides over the Privy Council. This is the first progress report issued by the new organization in its founding year. The Progress Report was rapidly superceded by the Annual Report of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau.

Annual Report of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau

Between 1919 and 1926 there were six annual reports issued by the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau. In 1925 the Imperial Institute Act amalgamated the Imperial Institute and the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau under the Department of Overseas Trade. This combined body lasted until 1949.

Annual Report of Overseas Geological Surveys

Earlier annual reports of the Colonial Geological Surveys and Overseas Geological Surveys were published as articles in various issues of Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources and Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources respectively. This series of stand alone annual reports began covering the years 1957-58 and published 1959 and continued to cover the year 1964 and published 1965. In 1965 the Overseas Geological Survey was subsumed into the newly formed Institute of Geological Sciences and the annual report was issued as part of the IGS annual report.

Overseas – mineral statistics

Mineral Industry of the British Empire and foreign countries - Statistical Summary

Published for the years between 1913 and 1947 and providing a statistical summary (production, imports and exports). Superceded by Statistical summary of the mineral industry: world production, imports and exports in 1948. Issued by the Mineral Resources Division, Imperial Institute/Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau.

Statistical summary of the mineral industry: world production, imports and exports

Continues from Statistical Summary: the Mineral Industry of the British Empire and foreign countries and covers a summary of mineral statistics (production, imports and exports) between 1948-1971. The last volume covers 1967-1971. Issued by the Mineral Resources Division, Imperial Institute.

The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries, war period (1913-1919)

A series of publications on mineral statistics covering the war period 1913 to 1919 on a wide range of minerals. Thirty-three volumes were issued between 1920 to 1923, each covering the statistics for a specific mineral. This series was continued as: The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries: Statistics. [1919-1922]. Issued by the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau.

The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries, statistics, 1919-1922

A series of publications containing detailed statistics on a single commodity e.g. abrasives, feldspar, nickel, salt, zinc. It follows on the earlier series under a slightly different title: The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries, war period (1913-1919). Issued by the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau.

The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries

This series follows the earlier series issued with a slightly different name: The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries. A series of non-serial monographs on particular mineral commodities. The series was superceded by the later: Reports on the mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries. Later issues were published under the later series title: Reports on the mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries. Issued by the Mineral Resources Division, Imperial Institute.

[The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries]. Iron ore (summary of information as to the present and prospective iron-ore supplies)

A series of eight publications on mineral statistics of iron published by the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau in 1922. Technically part of the 'The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries, statistics, 1919-1922' series but they have been informally treated as a separate series.

Reports on the mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries

Continues the same series under the previous title: The mineral industry of the British Empire and foreign countries. Items in this series are mostly second or subsequent editions of earlier publications issued in the earlier series. Issued by the Mineral Resources Division, Imperial Institute.

Monographs on minerals resources with special reference to the British Empire

In 1916 the Imperial Institute was transferred from the Board of Trade to the Colonial Office. A number of Technical Advisory Committees was set up to control the Imperial Institute, one called the Mineral Resources Committee commissioned this series of monographs on the mineral resources of the Empire. Six publications were issued between 1917 and 1921. Prepared under the direction of the Mineral Resources Committee with the assistance of the scientific and technical staff of the Imperial Institute.

Mineral monographs [Mineral Resources Division, Imperial Institute]

The Mineral Resources Division of the Imperial Institute arranged for the issue of this series of monographs on mineral resources in amplification and extension of those which have appeared in the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute. The object of the monographs is to give a general account of the occurrences and commercial utilization of the more important minerals, particularly in the British Empire. They do not cover mining or metallurgical processes. Only seven volumes were produced between 1952 (Vermiculite) and 1970 (Wollastonite).

Mining Laws of the British Empire and of Foreign Countries

A set of thirteen publications initially published under the auspices of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau 1920-1925. Volumes for 1926-1931 were prepared by the Imperial Institute. The Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau was set up for the purposes of promoting the development of mineral resources of the British Empire. The IMRB Legal Committee recommended the preparation and publication of detailed accounts of the mining laws of the British Empire. The idea was that these volumes would contain all the information necessary for the prospector, the miner, the financier and their legal advisers. The aim was to start with the colonies and protectorates in tropical Africa. By volume three the policy had been changed and a focus on South Africa became desirable. After Volume III, the priority changed to the Overseas Dominions, Canada, Australia, British India and the Federated Malay States.

World mineral resources (non-series publications dealing with world mineral resources)

Thirteen individually published works issued by the Imperial Institute/Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau. Some are the results of analyses of specimens of particular commodities from various countries of the Empire, others are more general reports on the mineral industry of the British Empire. They were published between 1903 and 1937.

Non-series publications dealing with a unified method of recording mining and metallurgical statistics

A series of publications issued by the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau dealing with a unified method of recording mining and metallurgical statistics and issued between 1922 and 1927.

Overseas - modern mineral statistics publications

World Mineral Statistics

The first volume covers: World mineral statistics 1970-74: production: exports: imports. The series supercedes the earlier: Statistical summary of the mineral industry: world production, imports and exports.

World Mineral Production Preliminary Statistics

The annual publication World Mineral Production contains production statistics, by country, for the majority of economically important mineral commodities, including ferrous and non¬ferrous metals, industrial minerals. After the 1989-1993 edition the subtitle was dropped. Typically, these reports provide a commentary detailing the characteristics, uses, production trends, prices and recent industry events for eleven commodities including: bauxite/alumina/aluminium, coal, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, nickel, platinum, uranium and zinc.

European Mineral Statistics

Statistical information about minerals and metals in Europe. Production, export and import tables are presented for all EU members and EU candidate countries, plus Norway and Switzerland, in two sections: by individual country and by commodity. Includes commentary discussing the different categories of minerals – construction minerals, industrial minerals, metals and energy minerals. The first issue was published in 2000 under the title 'World mineral statistics 1995-1999 - Europe'. It soon changed its name to the current title.

World Mineral Statistics - African mineral production

A BGS World Mineral Statistics regional report containing five-year production tables for all countries in Africa. Available as a print or electronic document.

World Mineral Statistics - China and South East Asia Mineral Production

A BGS World Mineral Statistics regional report containing five-year production tables, and short commentaries, for twelve countries in this region.

World Mineral Statistics - South American Mineral Production

A BGS World Mineral Statistics regional report containing ten-year mineral production tables, and short commentaries, for all countries in South America.

Overseas – general geological/mineral resources journals

Imperial Institute Journal

The Imperial Institute Journal constituted the newsletter of the Imperial Institute and did not contain significant scientific contributions.

Bulletin of the Imperial Institute

A very long running quarterly bulletin series with each issue containing a series of articles to provide a record of progress relating to agricultural, mineral and other industries, with special reference to the utilization of the raw materials of the Dominions, India and Colonies. Articles were mostly about a particular mineral resource in a particular country e.g.: The graphite deposits of Ceylon; Diamonds in the Gold Coast; Bauxite in Tasmania. The series ran from Bulletin No. 1 in 1903 to No. 46 in 1948. In the late 1940s a Colonial Development and Welfare Fund was set up to pay for expansion of services in the poorer colonies. To control the geological part, the Directorate of Colonial Geological Surveys was set up in 1947. The Imperial Institute Bulletin was superceded by the series 'Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources' which itself ran to 1957 to be replaced by the Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources.

Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources: the quarterly bulletin of the Colonial Geological Surveys

A serial publication consisting of articles on overseas geology and mineral resources. It superceded the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute and in turn was replaced by the Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources, a similar publication. It ran from 1950 to 1957.

Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources Supplement Series

Irregular supplements to the Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources containing scientific or technical papers. Only two issues were published: The East African rift system (1956); Colonial Geological Surveys 1947-56 (1957). The latter is a useful summary of the organization.

Colonial Reports - Miscellaneous

A series of miscellaneous reports from the Imperial Institute dating from 1893-1920. Not all were geological, those that were mostly covered results from [economic] mineral surveys

Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources

A follow-on serial publication from the Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources. It started in 1958 and ran through to 1995. A major change occurred in 1973 when the publication changed from each issue containing a series of articles to a monograph type publication on a single subject. It was superceded by a new monograph type publication called the Overseas Memoir Institute of Geological Sciences in 1975.

Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources Supplement Series

Irregular supplements to the Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources containing scientific or technical papers. Only three issues were published between 1958 and 1964.

Overseas Memoir Institute of Geological Sciences

Spanning the period 1975 to 1994, eleven 'Overseas memoirs' were produced in the distinctive brown covers. It superceded the previous Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources which had a long lineage through the Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources and back to the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute which began in 1903.

Geophysical Paper Overseas Geological Surveys

An occasional series on the work carried out by the Geophysical Division of the Overseas Geological Survey. Many investigations undertaken by the Division are of interest only to those immediately concerned with local problems, but the conclusions from some of them may have wider application. It is for the publication of results of such investigations that this series is designed. Only one publication was issued.

Non-series publications on the work of the Imperial Institute and Overseas Division Institute of Geological Sciences

Six publications describing the overseas work of the the following family of organizations: Imperial Institute and Overseas Division Institute of Geological Sciences. The publications date from 1893 to 1977.

United Arab Emirates, geology and geophysics

A five volume work on the geology and geophysics of the United Arab Emirates was published in 2006. The results of commissioned work.

United Arab Emirates, sheet descriptions

Sheet memoirs to accompany the geological maps of the UAE. The results of commissioned work.

Geochemical and geophysical publications

Publications mostly emanating from the much enlarged Institute of Geological Sciences/British Geological Survey on geochemistry, geophysics, gravity, geothermal energy, geomagnetism and seismology.

Prior to these series results of UK geochemical/geophysical work was published in the general series such as Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Report Institute of Geological Sciences etc.

Regional Geochemical Atlas Institute of Geological Sciences

G-BASE, the Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment is a programme to provide a systematic picture of the geochemistry of Britain. From the data a series of large format atlases are being produced starting from the Shetland Isles and working southwards. The earlier volumes are based on point-source data printed on geological maps, later volumes are based on digital geochemical imagery.

Non-series publications on geochemistry

Only one publication was issued: 'Chemical analyses of igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and minerals' published in 1931.

Geophysical Paper Institute of Geological Sciences

Six reports issued by the Institute of the Geological Sciences between 1967 and 1971. Each covers a separate single topic relating to geophysics.

United Kingdom Gravity Measurements

Two reports were issued detailing results from gravimetric surveys for the years 1971 to 1974 and 1978 to 1982. United Kingdom gravity measurements 1st June 1974-31st May 1978 was issued as a technical report WB/MU/78/2.

Geothermal energy in the United Kingdom: review of the British Geological Survey's Programme 1984-1987

Only the one publication was issued in this series: 'Geothermal energy in the United Kingdom: review of the British Geological Survey's Programme 1984-1987' It was published in 1988.

Geomagnetic Bulletin Institute of Geological Sciences

One of a number of series earmarked for publication on an annual basis. It provides an annual record of geomagnetic data. The series started in 1969 and continues today.

Seismological Bulletin Institute of Geological Sciences

One of a number of series earmarked for publication on an annual basis. The intention when first set up was to provide an annual record of seismological data, however, after the first year the series became an irregular publication for miscellaneous topics in seismology.