As part of the Tellus airborne gamma-ray spectrometry survey, we have extracted Caesium 137 (Cs137) data and mapped its variability within soil across Ireland. Cs137 is a radioactive element with a half-life of 30 years and is a principal source of radiation from radioactive waste and nuclear reactor accidents. In Ireland, levels are at a low level and mostly trace the fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Banding of higher values is consistent with rainfall fronts following the accident and its distribution within soils on higher grounds.

The data and report are available below:

Data and Grids (includes two zip files)

Technical Report (PDF)

Release Note (PDF)