Knowledge about the geology of the world around us – about soils, bedrock and the sea bed – is essential to the prosperity and sustainable development of our society.

Photo: Anders Damberg.

SGU surveys and describes the geology of Sweden. Among other things, the information we provide – in the form of maps, databases and descriptions – makes it possible to:

• find economically recoverable ores and other minerals
• protect groundwater and safeguard drinking water supplies
• make wise use of sand and gravel, peat and other natural resources
• build houses on solid foundations
• minimize the damage caused by landslides and other geological hazards
• deal with problems relating to the spread of toxic pollutants and other harmful substances in soil, groundwater and sea and lake beds
• understand changing landscapes and natural climatic variations.

SGU’s products are available to a wide range of users: local authorities, county administrative boards, other government agencies, companies, universities, schools and private individuals.

Here we present our mapping activities in each of our fields of expertise: bedrock geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology, Quaternary geology and marine geology. It should be borne in mind that the borderlines between these disciplines are not always clear-cut, and that the different fields complement each other. By combining different kinds of information we can achieve a much better understanding of our geological environment.

At present, the goal of our mapping activities is to produce an overview of the geology of the country as a whole at the regional level, together with more detailed local information on geological conditions in selected urban areas and areas where economically recoverable ore minerals may occur.

More information about our mapping activities can be found under Products & services.