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Study Guide: The British Geological Survey: History, Mission, and Operations

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The British Geological Survey: History, Mission, and Operations Study Guide

Genesis and Early Development (1835-c.1965)

The organization currently known as the British Geological Survey was established in 1835 under its present name.

Answer: False

Explanation: The organization was established in 1835, but its original name was the Geological Survey of Great Britain, not the British Geological Survey.

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Henry De la Beche served as the inaugural director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

Answer: True

Explanation: Henry De la Beche is recognized as the first director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, established in 1835.

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The British Geological Survey is recognized as the most recently established national geological survey globally.

Answer: False

Explanation: The British Geological Survey holds the distinction of being the world's first national geological survey, established in 1835, rather than the most recently established.

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The Geological Survey of Great Britain was initially affiliated with the Ministry of Defence.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Geological Survey of Great Britain was initially founded by the Board of Ordnance, not the Ministry of Defence.

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When was the organization that would become the BGS initially established?

Answer: 1835

Explanation: The organization that evolved into the British Geological Survey was initially established in 1835 as the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

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Who is credited as the first director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain?

Answer: Henry De la Beche

Explanation: Henry De la Beche is recognized as the inaugural director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, founded in 1835.

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What unique distinction does the BGS hold among global geological surveys?

Answer: It was the first national geological survey established worldwide.

Explanation: The British Geological Survey holds the distinction of being the world's first national geological survey, established in 1835.

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Initially, the Geological Survey of Great Britain was a branch of which governmental body?

Answer: The Board of Ordnance

Explanation: The Geological Survey of Great Britain was initially founded by the Board of Ordnance, marking its early affiliation with military and engineering functions.

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The BGS's historical identity included operations under which distinct name, particularly from the 1860s?

Answer: The Geological Survey of Scotland

Explanation: During the 1860s, operations within Scotland were conducted under the distinct designation of the Geological Survey of Scotland, reflecting regional organizational structures.

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Transformation and Rebranding (c.1965-1984)

In 1965, the survey underwent a merger and was renamed the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1965, the survey merged with the Geological Museum and Overseas Geological Surveys, subsequently being renamed the Institute of Geological Sciences.

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The name 'British Geological Survey' was adopted on January 1, 1984.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Institute of Geological Sciences officially adopted the name British Geological Survey on January 1, 1984.

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A policy change in 1975 mandated that female officers must resign upon marriage.

Answer: False

Explanation: The policy change in 1975 removed the mandate that female officers resign upon marriage, thus allowing them to remain employed after marriage.

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Which event in 1965 led to the survey being renamed the Institute of Geological Sciences?

Answer: Merger with the Geological Museum and Overseas Geological Surveys.

Explanation: In 1965, the survey merged with the Geological Museum and Overseas Geological Surveys, leading to its renaming as the Institute of Geological Sciences.

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What year did the Institute of Geological Sciences officially adopt the name British Geological Survey?

Answer: 1984

Explanation: The Institute of Geological Sciences officially adopted the name British Geological Survey in 1984.

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Mandate, Scope, and Governance

The primary mission of the British Geological Survey (BGS) is to advance geoscientific knowledge pertaining to the United Kingdom's landmass and its continental shelf.

Answer: True

Explanation: The British Geological Survey's core mandate involves advancing geoscientific knowledge specifically for the United Kingdom's landmass and its continental shelf through systematic surveying and research.

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The BGS primarily advises the Scottish government on geoscience matters.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BGS provides impartial geological advice to the UK government broadly, as well as to the public, academics, and industry, not exclusively to the Scottish government.

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The British Geological Survey operates under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Answer: True

Explanation: The British Geological Survey functions as a component body within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which fosters an environment for research and innovation.

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The BGS is a private organization focused solely on commercial geological consulting.

Answer: False

Explanation: The British Geological Survey is a public sector organization, not a private one, and its remit extends beyond commercial consulting to include public service and research.

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The British Geological Survey's mandate covers geological research worldwide.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the BGS conducts some international research, its primary mandate focuses on the geoscientific knowledge of the United Kingdom's landmass and continental shelf.

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UKRI provides operational funding for the BGS but does not oversee its strategic direction.

Answer: False

Explanation: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) oversees the strategic direction of the BGS, in addition to its role in research funding.

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The BGS provides geological advice exclusively to academic institutions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BGS provides impartial geological advice to a broad audience, including government, public bodies, academia, and industry, not exclusively to academic institutions.

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The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is a component body of the British Geological Survey.

Answer: False

Explanation: The British Geological Survey is a component body of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which oversees it via the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is not a component body of the BGS.

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The BGS conducts systematic surveying and monitoring only on the UK's landmass.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BGS conducts systematic surveying and monitoring on the UK's landmass, its continental shelf, and also engages in international research.

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What is the fundamental objective of the British Geological Survey (BGS)?

Answer: To advance geoscientific knowledge of the UK's landmass and continental shelf.

Explanation: The fundamental objective of the BGS is to advance geoscientific knowledge concerning the United Kingdom's landmass and its continental shelf through systematic research and data collection.

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The BGS provides impartial geological advice to which groups?

Answer: Government, public, academics, and industry.

Explanation: The BGS provides impartial geological advice to a wide range of stakeholders, including government bodies, the public, academic institutions, and various industries.

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Under which larger UK body does the British Geological Survey function?

Answer: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Explanation: The British Geological Survey operates as a component body under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

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What does the BGS do regarding the UK's continental shelf?

Answer: Conducts systematic surveying and research.

Explanation: The BGS conducts systematic surveying, monitoring, and research to advance geoscientific knowledge pertaining to the United Kingdom's continental shelf.

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The BGS is described as a component body of which organization?

Answer: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Explanation: The British Geological Survey is formally recognized as a component body operating under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

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Scientific Outputs and Methodologies

Core outputs from the BGS include only geological and geophysical maps.

Answer: False

Explanation: Core outputs from the BGS encompass geological, geophysical, geochemical, and hydrogeological maps, descriptions, and associated digital databases, not solely maps.

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BGS scientists were responsible for creating the first global map of groundwater reserves.

Answer: False

Explanation: BGS scientists produced the first comprehensive map of *African* groundwater reserves, not the first global map.

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The BGS's move towards 3-D modeling aims to simplify subsurface understanding compared to traditional 2-D mapping.

Answer: False

Explanation: The transition to 3-D modeling aims to *improve* and enhance the understanding of subsurface architecture, rather than simplify it compared to 2-D mapping.

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The BGS creates digital databases as part of its core outputs, enhancing data accessibility.

Answer: True

Explanation: Digital databases are a key component of the BGS's core outputs, alongside maps and descriptions, serving to enhance the accessibility and usability of geoscientific information.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as a core output of the British Geological Survey?

Answer: Atmospheric pollution reports

Explanation: Core outputs of the BGS include geological, geophysical, geochemical, and hydrogeological maps, descriptions, and digital databases. Atmospheric pollution reports are not listed as a core output.

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What significant achievement related to African groundwater is attributed to BGS scientists?

Answer: Producing the first comprehensive map of African groundwater reserves.

Explanation: BGS scientists are credited with producing the first comprehensive map detailing the groundwater reserves across the African continent.

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The BGS's strategic aim to transition to 3-D modeling is intended to achieve what?

Answer: Improve understanding of the subsurface 'architecture'.

Explanation: The strategic transition to 3-D modeling is designed to enhance the comprehensive understanding of the subsurface 'architecture', moving beyond the limitations of traditional 2-D mapping.

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What does the BGS's transition to 3-D modeling aim to improve?

Answer: The understanding of subsurface architecture.

Explanation: The strategic shift towards 3-D modeling by the BGS is intended to significantly improve the comprehensive understanding of the subsurface architecture.

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What does the BGS produce as part of its core outputs regarding geochemical information?

Answer: Maps, descriptions, and digital databases.

Explanation: The BGS produces comprehensive outputs for geochemical information, including maps, detailed descriptions, and associated digital databases.

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Strategic Objectives and Societal Impact

A key strategic aim for the BGS is to complete the transition from 3-D modeling to 2-D mapping.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BGS's strategic aim is to transition *from* 2-D mapping *to* 3-D modeling to enhance subsurface understanding, not the reverse.

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The BGS's current five-year strategy includes priorities related to energy transition, water security, and geological hazards.

Answer: True

Explanation: The BGS's current five-year strategy explicitly identifies priorities including a more secure energy transition, improved water security, and living with geological hazards.

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The BGS plays a role in contributing to a more secure energy transition.

Answer: True

Explanation: Contributing to a more secure energy transition is identified as one of the key strategic priorities within the BGS's current five-year plan.

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Which of these is identified as a key priority in the BGS's current five-year strategy?

Answer: Ensuring a more secure energy transition.

Explanation: Ensuring a more secure energy transition is explicitly listed as one of the four key priorities in the British Geological Survey's current five-year strategic plan.

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Which of the following is one of the four key priorities in the BGS's current strategy?

Answer: Improving water security.

Explanation: Improving water security is identified as one of the four key strategic priorities within the BGS's current five-year plan.

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How is the BGS involved in the area of geological hazards according to its strategy?

Answer: By focusing on living with geological hazards.

Explanation: The BGS's strategy includes 'living with geological hazards' as a key priority, indicating a focus on understanding and mitigating risks associated with these phenomena.

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Organizational Structure and Personnel

Beris Cox was the first woman appointed to lead the British Geological Survey in 2019.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Beris Cox was a pioneering figure as the first female paleontologist employed by the IGS, Karen Hanghøj was appointed the first female director of the British Geological Survey in 2019.

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The main headquarters of the British Geological Survey is situated in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary headquarters of the British Geological Survey is located in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, England, not Edinburgh.

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The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) is directly managed by the British Geological Survey.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) is managed by Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy (DfE); the BGS provides staff support under contract.

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Who was the first female paleontologist hired by the Institute of Geological Sciences (IGS)?

Answer: Beris Cox

Explanation: Beris Cox was the first female paleontologist employed by the Institute of Geological Sciences (IGS), joining the institution in 1969.

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Where is the primary headquarters of the British Geological Survey located?

Answer: Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, England

Explanation: The primary headquarters of the British Geological Survey is situated in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, England.

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The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) is part of which department?

Answer: Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy (DfE)

Explanation: The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) operates under the purview of Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy (DfE).

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Funding and Operational Model

The BGS has an annual budget of approximately £57 million, entirely funded by government grants.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the BGS has an annual budget of approximately £57 million, only about half is funded by government grants; the remainder is generated through commissioned research.

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Approximately what fraction of the BGS's annual budget comes from the government's science budget?

Answer: One-half

Explanation: Approximately half of the British Geological Survey's annual budget is derived from the government's science budget.

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How does the BGS generate the portion of its budget that does not come from the government's science budget?

Answer: Via commissioned research from public and private sectors.

Explanation: The BGS generates the remaining portion of its budget through commissioned research projects undertaken for both public sector organizations and private industry.

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General Information and Identification

The current tagline of the British Geological Survey is 'Mapping the Nation'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The current tagline of the British Geological Survey is 'Understanding our Earth', reflecting its mission to advance geoscientific knowledge.

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The abbreviation BGS stands for the Bureau of Geological Sciences.

Answer: False

Explanation: The abbreviation BGS stands for British Geological Survey.

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The tagline 'Understanding our Earth' reflects the BGS's focus on advancing geoscientific knowledge.

Answer: True

Explanation: The tagline 'Understanding our Earth' accurately encapsulates the BGS's core mission of advancing geoscientific knowledge.

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What is the current tagline used by the British Geological Survey?

Answer: Understanding our Earth

Explanation: The current tagline of the British Geological Survey is 'Understanding our Earth', reflecting its mission to advance geoscientific knowledge.

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What is the purpose of the 'Authority control databases' links found in the BGS article?

Answer: To ensure consistent identification and organization of BGS records across cataloging systems.

Explanation: The 'Authority control databases' links serve to ensure the consistent identification and organization of BGS records across various cataloging systems, enhancing discoverability and data integrity.

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Which international authority file is referenced in the 'Authority control databases' section for the BGS?

Answer: VIAF

Explanation: The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) is one of the international authority files referenced in the 'Authority control databases' section for the BGS.

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