Geological Software - Site Investigation, Conceptual Site Modelling and 3D Modelling
An integrated tool for geological interpretation and modelling work.
Technical Documentation hosted at: https://britishgeologicalsurvey.github.io/Groundhog/
We all believe that a safe, sustainable and well-understood environment that makes best use of new and existing resources is a cornerstone of progress.
From the management and use of natural resources to the safe creation, regeneration and maintenance of the built environment, we understand that high-quality site investigation coupled with conceptual geological understanding is key. Software that enables you to interpret your data, create models and communicate risks and insights can take things to the next level, but such digital tools are often complex, highly specialised and costly.
That's why we're developing Groundhog Desktop
We believe that you should have access to geological software which is powerful, without it being complicated or expensive. Our software is available in both no-cost "Community" and low-cost "Professional" editions. With Groundhog, our mission is to provide you with a simple, effective way of visualising and interpreting site data as well as developing conceptual and 3D digital geological models.
To get started with the no-cost Community Edition of our software, please go to https://www.bgs.ac.uk/groundhog
For Groundhog Professional license keys and trials please visit LQM - https://www.lqm.co.uk/csm
Windows 7 or above (64-bit). Mouse with scroll wheel (laptop trackpad NOT recommended). Dedicated graphics card recommended for optimium 3D graphics performance. May not function over network, virtual or remote-desktop type deployment platforms. Admin rights likely to be required during installation. Please ensure correct operation with your local IT administrator using a trial license to ensure satisfactory performance with your local IT policies.
| Import | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| AGS 4 & 3.1 | ■ | ■ |
| Boreholes from text (.txt) | ■ | ■ |
| Boreholes from CSV (.csv) | ■ | ■ |
| Well data (.las) | ■ | ■ |
| ESRI ASCII grids (.asc) | ■ | ■ |
| Images and geo-registered images (.png, .jpeg) | ■ | ■ |
| Shapefiles (.shp) | ■ | ■ |
| 3D objects (.obj) | ■ | ■ |
| GOCAD TSurf (.ts) | ■ | ■ |
| GOCAD Wells (.wl, .gp) | ■ | ■ |
| Visualise Data | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive map view with pan and zoom controls (2D) | ■ | ■ |
| Interactive profile view with pan and zoom controls (2D) | ■ | ■ |
| All new 3D view (Beta) | ■ | ■ |
| GIS-style layer controls with re-ordering | ■ | ■ |
| Layer-specific transparency and clip controls | ■ | ■ |
| Window and data layer personalisation with editable styles | ■ | ■ |
| BGS Web Map Services (WMS) with identify tool facility and links to borehole scans and AGS data | ■ | ■ |
| Save configurations between sessions | ■ | ■ |
| Embedded UK gazetteer | ■ | ■ |
| Cross-Sections | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Automated terrain profile from elevation grid (UK 250m grid included) | ■ | ■ |
| Multi-segment alignments, including borehole positions if required | ■ | ■ |
| Geology digitizing tools with snapping | ■ | ■ |
| Borehole projection using buffer distance | ■ | ■ |
| Support for drawing lenses and faults | ■ | ■ |
| Geo-register profile images interactively (e.g. geophysical profiles, sketches) | ■ | ■ |
| Snap to: line-work, map and other sections | ■ | ■ |
| Annotate with labels, call-outs, arrows and graphics | ■ | |
| Display profiles through imported elevation grids (e.g. water level grid) | ■ | ■ |
| Dynamic link between cross-section and map views and between intersecting cross-sections | ■ | ■ |
| Synthetic slicing tool for 3D geological models | ■ | ■ |
| Graticule layer and geological legend | ■ | ■ |
| Borehole Logs | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| View borehole data in paginated log view panel | ■ | ■ |
| Interactive log template design tools with multiple column types | ■ | ■ |
| Save and share custom templates | ■ | ■ |
| Display and edit in metres or ft/in | ■ | ■ |
| Display using custom or in-built colours and ornaments | ■ | ■ |
| Export logs to PDF and image files | ■ | ■ |
| View in-situ and lab test data from AGS files | ■ | ■ |
| View geophysical logs from LAS files | ■ | ■ |
| Edit borehole data interactively | ■ | ■ |
| Conceptual Site Models | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Define multiple phases (Desk Study, Walkover, SI, etc.) | ■ | |
| Specify contaminants, sources, pathways and receptors | ■ | |
| Construct pollutant linkages as a data model | ■ | |
| Auto-create and edit Network Diagrams | ■ | |
| Add annotations to maps (labels, call-outs, arrows, pictures) | ■ | |
| Add annotations to cross-sections (labels, call-outs, arrows, pictures) | ■ | |
| Draw custom shapes and tag as CSM-layer objects (e.g. NAPL plumes) | ■ | |
| Draw water levels into cross-sections | ■ | ■ |
| Define a Site Boundary | ■ | ■ |
| 3D Modelling | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic, implicit modelling engine with 3D visualisation | ■ | |
| Model directly from multiple data sources on a per-layer basis | ■ | |
| Stratigraphic (bedrock) and patch-based (Quaternary) algorithms | ■ | |
| Define model grid and resolution interactively and define model extent from a shape layer | ■ | |
| Model from borehole data | ■ | |
| Model from point layers (outcrop positions, subcrop positions, control points) | ■ | |
| Model from shape layers (outcrop and subcrop maps, structure contours) | ■ | |
| Model from drawn cross-sections | ■ |
| Exports | Community | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Boreholes to text (.txt, .csv) | ■ | ■ |
| Maps, cross-sections and boring logs to images (.png, .jpeg) | ■ | ■ |
| To ESRI ASCII grids (.asc) | ■ | ■ |
| Cross-sections to 3D (.obj) | ■ | ■ |
| Geological 3D models to 3D (.obj) | ■ | |
| Maps, cross-sections and boring logs to PDF (.pdf) | ■ | ■ |
| Shape and point layers to ESRI shapefiles (.shp) | ■ | ■ |
| Borehole data to AGS (.ags) | ■ | ■ |
| Boreholes and drawn cross-sections to GOCAD formats (.wl, .pl) | ■ | ■ |
| Drawn cross-sections and 3D model inputs to XYZ (.cvs, .txt) | ■ | ■ |
Totally free-to-use, forever.
Download Groundhog Community and get started right away, at no cost, using the Open Government License.
Use the rich features of Groundhog Community on all of your projects, including commercial work.
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to explore and present your borehole data then Groundhog is for you!
Import site borehole data from a range of formats (TXT, CSV, AGS) or enter it directly in Groundhog.
Easily create customised borehole log report templates and share them with other Groundhog users.
Explore your in-situ and lab test data with the built-in support for AGS 3.1 and 4.
Visualise composite geophysical logs using the LAS importer.
We understand that the humble cross-section remains a valuable tool for interpretation and conceptualisation.
Construct detailed geological cross-sections, to scale, using the simple drawing tools.
Import site elevation grids, or use the built-in 250m UK OS Open DTM, to automatically generate topographic elevation profiles.
Import and display images such as geophysical proles or conceptual sketches.
Include or buffer boreholes into the cross-section and display using any log template.
You know where you are with a map.
Display and edit your own data layers and control their appearance. Display BGS Web Map Services and perform map-unit identify queries.
Hyperlink to borehole scans on the BGS website.
Download AGS records directly from the BGS web service.
Visualise your data in a new dimension with the first version of Groundhog to include 3D graphics!
Express your conceptual understanding using our low-cost solution for modelling work. Developed with LQM, Groundhog Professional has all the features of Community with added support for both conceptual site modelling and 3D geological model building.
Trials and digital license keys for Groundhog Professional are available through LQM.
Developed closely with industry leaders Land Quality Management (LQM).
Add labels, call-outs, arrows and water levels.
Integrate geology into the CSM and include key site features using the in-built library of graphical objects.
Define contaminants, sources, pathways and receptors in the data model and construct contaminant linkages and network diagrams.
Dynamic, implict modelling directly from data inputs including boreholes, points, linework, cross-sections, structure contours or thickness, depth and elevation values.
The only interpolation engine geared to rapid modelling of shallow and Quaternary deposits.
All prices are in GBP(£) and exclusive of VAT *Groundhog Community will always be free-to-use For more than 20 users please get in touch
| # of Users | Launch Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Unlimited | 0* |
| Professional (Annual Licence) | 1 | 500 |
| 5 | 1250 | |
| 10 | 2000 | |
| 20 | 3000 |
We can help you to integrate Groundhog into your organisation and workflows.
Using our plugin framework, the development team at the BGS are on hand to write custom features to help with integration and special requirements.
Just get in touch to find out more about these specialist services.
Together with our commercial training partner, LQM, you can access support & training services.
We gratefully acknowledge support from The Geological Survey of Finland & The Geological Survey of Sweden