IE GSI Bedrock Geology Cross sections 100k Ireland (ROI) ITM View

Knowing the structure and type of bedrock is vital in many areas of our lives.

Bedrock maps help us locate groundwater sources which can be used to supply drinking water. Rock properties and structures such as faults impact how water and/or pollutants move below the surface. Drinking water can be protected by locating potential polluting operations, such as landfills, away from groundwater.

Geothermal energy is the energy stored in the form of heat beneath the surface of the earth. It can be used to supply heat and hot water. It can also be used to cool a house by removing surplus heat energy and putting it into the ground. Bedrock maps along with subsoil and aquifer maps are used to help decide if the ground under a site is suitable for geothermal energy extraction.

Engineers need this information when they are designing structures (houses, buildings, roads, etc.). They need to know the quality of the ground (strength and depth of soil, if rock and or groundwater is present) and how structures can be built in and on it. They use the information to decide the best supports and foundations needed for structures so that they don’t collapse. They can also find out if there are any underground obstructions, groundwater, faults etc which could result in additional costs or delays.

Bedrock maps are used to find sites suitable for the extraction of valuable mineral deposits. Nearly all of the metals we use today are extracted from a number of minerals that different rocks are made up of.