BGS: Has groundwater influenced the recent UK floods (December 2015 — January 2016)?
Jan 11, 2016
The festive season was marred by floods for many people in northern England (including Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire) and Scotland (including Perthshire, Aberdeenshire and the Scottish Borders). The Met Office has released statistics for December showing that it was the wettest calendar month since records began in 1910.
In early 2014, many news stories about the flooding included a discussion of groundwater levels and the way rising levels in aquifers were causing and/or prolonging flooding in southern England and in the Thames valley. Groundwater has played a much smaller role in the recent flooding in Northern England and Scotland. Local geology explains much of the difference.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) have undertaken research on flooding over many years and has contributed to improving understanding of how, where and when flooding occurs. We have produced a range of datasets that have been developed to assist government agencies in planning for flood events and improving flood prevention.
More information can be found here.
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