BGS releases national predictive seabed sediments dataset

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has released the national-scale BGS Predictive Seabed Sediments (UK) dataset.

• Main announcement: The dataset comprises four digital maps including a classified map of sediment types and predicted proportions of gravel, sand and mud across the UK continental shelf, generated from about 40,000 sample measurements and numerous physical covariates using machine learning; it is freely available to download under the Open Government Licence (OGL).
• Background and details: The dataset is intended to support habitat mapping, marine ecosystem science, mineral and aggregates assessments, offshore infrastructure siting and monitoring, defence, shipping and coastal management; it can be used alongside other BGS 250K datasets and the high-resolution seabed geology mapping; the Joint Nature Conservation Committee provided initial co-funding and support.