Reference System

Identification

Data Identification:
citation:
Citation:
Title:
The Geo-Assessment Matrix: Pan-European catalogue of key parameters for Offshore Wind Farm siting
Date:
CI_Date:
Date Type:
creation
date:
2025-08-22
Identifier:
RS_Identifier:
code:
http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13608494
Abstract:
The Geo-Assessment Matrix (the Matrix) is a pan-European dataset highlighting the key geological features and associated engineering constraints for Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) development. Such geological features include: lithology; biogenic processes; mass flow processes; fluid flow; morphology and geomorphology associated with glacial, coastal, fluvial and marine settings. There is currently no universally adopted methodology or classification system to assess ground conditions at OWF sites. This lack of standardisation makes it difficult to compare siting conditions across different regions in Europe. The Geo-Assessment Matrix introduces a unified methodology designed to address these challenges. Results provide data attributions that can be used to create pan-European geological maps to better understand the geological constraints of the subsurface for offshore development. The Matrix is useful for stakeholders such as research institutes (Geological Surveys), marine spatial planners, government agencies and OWF developers. A matrix style is adopted providing a structured comparison of geological and engineering constraints for the development of different OWF foundation types (piles, suction caisson, gravity based structures – GBS, and cables). A final qualitative unmitigated geological constraint score is provided for evaluating the suitability of different seabed conditions: ‘Higher’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Lower’ constraints. As this is a qualitative assessment, they are comparative terms, permitting categories that reflect the relative difference. - Higher constraint: Geological features may present significant challenges to engineering solutions. These are typically (but not limited to) geohazards, such as organic soils, pockmarks, active sedimentary systems, slope instability and soft sediments. - Moderate constraint: Geological features may be suitable for foundations, however, likely need additional engineering design/solutions mitigation measures. These are typically variable sedimentary features, such as heterogeneous sediments, mobile sediments, weak bedrock and gravel. - Lower constraint: Geological features are likely suitable for foundations. These are typically more predictable sediments, such as homogeneous or layered sediments or strong bedrock. Note that some features may still require mitigation measures. Outputs from the Matrix help to inform early decision-making and spatial planning by highlighting areas of relative geological constraint in countries during the early stages of offshore wind development.
Point of Contact:
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
phone:
CI_Telephone:
voice:
0115 936 3142
facsimile:
0115 936 3276
Address:
Address:
Delivery Point:
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
city:
EDINBURGH
administrative Area:
LOTHIAN
Postal Code:
EH14 4AP
country:
United Kingdom
role:
distributor
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
phone:
CI_Telephone:
voice:
0115 936 3142
facsimile:
0115 936 3276
Address:
Address:
Delivery Point:
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
city:
EDINBURGH
administrative Area:
LOTHIAN
Postal Code:
EH14 4AP
country:
United Kingdom
role:
originator
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
Address:
Address:
e-mail:
not available
role:
distributor
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
Address:
Address:
e-mail:
not available
role:
pointOfContact
Resource Maintenance:
MD_MaintenanceInformation:
maint. / update frequency:
unknown
Graphic overview:
Browse Graphic:
File Name:
https://resources.bgs.ac.uk/images/geonetworkThumbs/3d445ea2-cfce-9996-e063-3050940a811a.png
Descriptive Keywords:
Keywords:
keyword:
https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/theme/ge
keyword:
Geology
Thesaurus Name:
Citation:
Title:
GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Date:
CI_Date:
date:
2008-06-01
Date Type:
publication
Keywords:
keyword:
Constraints
keyword:
EGDI
keyword:
Engineering
keyword:
Geology
keyword:
NGDC Deposited Data
Thesaurus Name:
Citation:
Title:
BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences
Date:
CI_Date:
date:
2022
Date Type:
revision
Keywords:
keyword:
NGDC Deposited Data
keyword:
https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/services/ngdc/accessions/index.html
keyword:
EGDI
keyword:
https://data.geoscience.earth/ncl/project/_48
Type:
dataCentre
Keywords:
keyword:
NERC_DDC
Resource Constraints:
MD_LegalConstraints:
Access Constraints:
otherRestrictions
Other Constraints:
licenceOGL
Other Constraints:
http://inspire.ec.europa.eu/metadata-codelist/LimitationsOnPublicAccess/noLimitations
Other Constraints:
Available under the Open Government Licence subject to the following acknowledgement accompanying the reproduced NERC materials "Contains NERC materials ©NERC [year]"
MD_LegalConstraints:
Use Constraints:
otherRestrictions
Other Constraints:
The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.
Other Constraints:
Available under the Open Government Licence subject to the following acknowledgement accompanying the reproduced NERC materials "Contains NERC materials ©NERC [year]"
Spatial Representation Type:
?
language:
eng
topicCategory:
geoscientificInformation
Extent:
Extent:
Temporal Element:
TemporalExtent:
extent:
begin / end:
begin:
2022-08-01
end:
2025-08-22
Supplemental Information:
This project was co-funded by UKRI with the Geological Service for Europe (GSEU). Webpage details: https://www.geologicalservice.eu/

Distribution

Distribution:
Distribution Format:
Format:
Format Name:
XLSX
version:
?
Distributor:
Distributor:
Distributor Contact:
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
phone:
CI_Telephone:
voice:
0115 936 3142
facsimile:
0115 936 3276
Address:
Address:
Delivery Point:
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
city:
EDINBURGH
administrative Area:
LOTHIAN
Postal Code:
EH14 4AP
country:
United Kingdom
role:
distributor
Distributor:
Distributor Contact:
Responsible Party:
Individual Name:
Enquiries
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
Address:
Address:
e-mail:
not available
role:
distributor
Transfer Options:
Digital Transfer Options:
onLine:
CI_OnlineResource:
linkage:
https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/services/ngdc/accessions/index.html#item189519
name:
Data
function:
download
Digital Transfer Options:
onLine:
CI_OnlineResource:
linkage:
https://doi.org/10.5285/a7622a1d-2638-4ec6-a77e-7de2e7fe28b1
name:
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
description:
Dakin, N. (2025). The Geo-Assessment Matrix: Pan-European catalogue of key parameters for Offshore Wind Farm siting. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset). Dakin, N. (2025). The Geo-Assessment Matrix: Pan-European catalogue of key parameters for Offshore Wind Farm siting. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/a7622a1d-2638-4ec6-a77e-7de2e7fe28b1
function:
information

Data Quality

Data Quality:
Scope:
DQ_Scope:
level:
nonGeographicDataset
Level Description:
MD_ScopeDescription:
other:
non geographic dataset
Report:
Domain Consistency:
Result:
Conformance Result:
specification:
Citation:
Title:
INSPIRE Implementing rules laying down technical arrangements for the interoperability and harmonisation of Geology
Date:
CI_Date:
Date Type:
publication
date:
2011
explanation:
See the referenced specification
pass:
0
Domain Consistency:
Result:
Conformance Result:
specification:
Citation:
Title:
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Date:
CI_Date:
Date Type:
publication
date:
2010-12-08
explanation:
See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF
pass:
0
Lineage:
LI_Lineage:
statement:
Development of the Matrix follows a four-step process that reattributes geological features into a final relative constraint term (Higher, Moderate, Lower). Each step builds on the last, transforming geological data into a harmonised, pan-European assessment tool. Terminology aligns with the two-part seabed geomorphology classification schemes of Dove et al. (2020) and Nanson et al. (2023), using bathymetry data to identify geomorphological units, supported by geological context (Nanson et al. 2023 and references therein). A matrix-style structure was used to systematically organise data, enabling comparison of constraints across settings. Categorisation into distinct groups clarifies how geological conditions affect engineering feasibility and design. An open-source methodology report (OR/25/067) supports the development of the Geo-Assessment Matrix.

Metadata

File Identifier:
3d445ea2-cfce-9996-e063-3050940a811a
language:
eng
Resource type:
nonGeographicDataset
Hierarchy Level Name:
non geographic dataset
Metadata Contact:
Responsible Party:
Organisation Name:
British Geological Survey
Contact Info:
CI_Contact:
phone:
CI_Telephone:
voice:
+44 115 936 3100
Address:
Address:
Delivery Point:
Environmental Science Centre,Keyworth
city:
NOTTINGHAM
administrative Area:
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Postal Code:
NG12 5GG
country:
United Kingdom
role:
pointOfContact
Date Stamp:
2025-09-30
Metadata Standard Name:
http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/M25/current/GEMINI/
Metadata Standard Name:
UK GEMINI
Metadata Standard Version:
2.3
Dataset URI:
http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13608494