The BGS Rock Classification Scheme
The BGS Rock Classification Scheme (RCS) is a comprehensive classification scheme for all types of rocks and unconsolidated sediments worldwide. It is intended to be used for classification of single rock samples and can be used without any knowledge of field relationships. It has been designed for use by people with a wide range of geological knowledge; from experienced professional geologists to technicians and drillers. It also allows names to be assigned according to the level of information about the sample. The system if hierarchical, ranging from very simple names such as igneous rock to highly detailed names such as mugearite, that can only be applied after chemical analysis. Rock names can consist of a root name e.g. granite and several qualifiers that impart more information e.g. grey-biotite-bearing granite. The classification scheme has been implemented as a hierarchical dictionary of codes for all rock types. The classification scheme is described in BGS Research Reports 99-02, 99-03, 99-06. The BGS Rock Classification Scheme was devised between 1993 and 1996 in response to a need from the Digital Map Production System project.
nonGeographicDataset
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/technologies/bgs-rock-classification-scheme/
name: BGS Rock Classification Scheme
description: The BGS Rock Classification Scheme (RCS) provides a comprehensive system for classifying and naming geological materials to act as a corporate standard in support of our digital geological maps, data dictionaries and numerous other geological applications. It’s a practical, logical and robust system for classifying and naming geological materials as they appear at the scale of a single exposure, hand specimen or thin section.
function: search
http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13480319
eng
Regularly up-dated to match demand. The data are essentially complete but will have on-going correction, minor revisions and up dates. There is a high degree of logical consistency
geoscientificInformation
publication
2008-06-01
Geology
Nomenclature
revision
2011
NERC_DDC
creation
1993
irregular
Includes data derived from and replaces previous previous databases such as the PetMin Code.
publication
2011
false
See the referenced specification
publication
2010-12-08
false
See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF
WEB PAGES (INTERNET). - Limited query system available
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.
British Geological Survey
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
EDINBURGH
EH14 4AP
United Kingdom
0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
distributor
British Geological Survey
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
EDINBURGH
EH14 4AP
United Kingdom
0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
pointOfContact
British Geological Survey
Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth
NOTTINGHAM
NG12 5GG
United Kingdom
0115 936 3143
0115 936 3276
distributor
British Geological Survey
Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth
NOTTINGHAM
NG12 5GG
United Kingdom
0115 936 3143
0115 936 3276
originator
British Geological Survey
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South
EDINBURGH
EH14 4AP
United Kingdom
+44 131 667 1000
pointOfContact
2022-07-05