Aerial photographs from Cornwall flooding and landslides
18 November 2010
The British Geological Survey (BGS) has completed an aerial survey to assess the full extent and impact of the floods and landslides in Cornwall yesterday.
This photo of the bridge on North Street (B3268) in Lostwithiel was taken from approximately 300m (1000ft). Higher resolution images of this photo and others can be accessed from BGS's FTP site 
. Captions are provided in the Word document.
A comparison of the aerial photographs with geological maps should show a correlation between areas which have flooded and areas marked on the geological maps as deposits of clay, slit and sand (alluvial deposits). This comparison will be done over the next few days. A landslide response team will be sent to the area if further investigation is needed.
The landslide information collected will be added to the National Landslide Database and the flood data used to verify the Geological Indicators of Flooding dataset. These databases are used as part of BGS and NERC's ongoing research into natural hazards in the UK. Further information will be posted on BGS's website as it becomes available.
Use of the images is free for non-commercial and media use as long as this acknowledgement is used: Courtesy of the British Geological Survey (BGS©NERC).
Cumbria floods of 2009
Last November the rainfall of 316·4mm (more than 12 inches) recorded at the Seathwaite Farm in Borrowdale over a 24-hour period set a new record for the UK.
"It was very rare indeed, an extreme event of international significance", said Jamie Hannaford, a scientist at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).
"What fell in 24 hours in the lake district then was about half what you get in a whole year at somewhere like Gatwick, near London."
More information on the Cumbria floods can be found on CEH's website.
Further information
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Briefing note: 06/10
External links
- British Geological Survey
- Aerial flood photographs (BGS FTP site)
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
- CEH scientists assess rarity of 2009 Cumbria floods
Press links
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