Researchers have announced an amazing scientific discovery – one of the most amazing discoveries, actually. They produced the first-ever three-dimensional electrical resistivity model of the lithosphere beneath Britain. This significant achievement, documented by Aideliz M. Montiel‐Álvarez and colleagues in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, sheds light on the complex geological features hidden beneath the surface.
This time, researchers took magnetotelluric (MT) data across a site in western Scotland. This field area, located along the southwest—Loch Shiel of the Northern Highlands Terrane, provides the basis for most of the study’s results. Shockingly, the data collection took place during a solar storm on October 10-11, 2024. This storm created a wealth of research quality data and painted beautiful and powerful aurora borealis displays across the Northern Hemisphere.
Insight into Geophysical Structures
This new model, known as BERM-2024, takes into account geophysical structures down to depths of 200 kilometers (125 miles). It shows a wealth of features, some of which had been previously identified through other geophysical surveys and geological observation. One of the survey’s most exciting findings is a big, unexplained conductive anomaly. This hidden feature, unknown until now, sits 85 to 140 kilometers (52–87 miles) beneath West Midlands region.
This anomaly supports the idea that a complicated interplay of geological processes has taken place, the full workings of which are still not entirely clear. The model pinpoints exceptionally conductive areas beneath Scotland’s Southern Uplands Terrane, suggesting heavy geologic action underneath this area of Scotland’s Uplands. One major resistive anomaly suddenly appears below the island of Anglesey. This represents a dramatic contrast in terms of geological materials and structure across the length of Britain.
Implications for Geomagnetic Studies
The research team looked beyond geological formations. They rigorously validated their resistivity model by using it to only predict the electric field that would appear at the Earth’s surface. This aspect of the study holds importance for forecasting the effects of geomagnetically induced currents caused by space weather events. Like their predecessors under the Sun’s cycle, such currents can carry dreadful consequences, disrupting power grids or even causing satellites to malfunction.
By understanding these interactions better, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate potential hazards associated with solar storms and other forms of space weather. The study’s comprehensive approach to modeling the lithosphere beneath Britain establishes a foundation for future research in geomagnetism and geophysics.
Publishing and Further Research
We published the study with open-access under https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jb031813, reaching a wider audience including other researchers, professionals in the field, and the general public. This research adds to our knowledge of Britain’s geological structure. Beyond that, it lays the groundwork for subsequent studies which would use comparable methodologies in additional urban areas.
Scientists have just scratched the surface to understand the mysterious structures beneath Earth’s lithosphere. Findings such as those discussed in BERM-2024 will be crucial to advancing our theoretical understanding and practical applications in the geosciences. This model represents a major step forward for geophysical research. It offers a real glimpse at what is hidden under Britain’s rosy facade.