The next phase of the Tellus Survey – a nationwide programme of the Geological Survey Ireland, which collects geochemical and geophysical data on rocks, soil and water across Ireland – has officially taken off over the south east of Ireland. To gather this data, a low-flying plane equipped with state-of the-art instruments will soar over the skies of counties Carlow, Wexford and neighbouring parts of Kildare, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wicklow from May until autumn 2019, weather permitting.

The Tellus Survey programme has been surveying across Ireland over the last eight years and has recently finished flying over counties Limerick, Tipperary and west Cork. The Tellus Survey aims to have 75% of Ireland mapped by 2020, with the resulting data having the potential to deliver positive economic, environmental and agricultural benefits by helping to assist in understanding the local environment, soil management and natural resource potential for these counties. Data collected throughout the Tellus project is published and made freely available to all on the Tellus website.

Dr James Hodgson, Senior Geologist and Project Manager for Tellus, says:

Operating safely as approved by the Irish Aviation Authority permits, the aircraft is a white, twin propeller plane, which is easily identified by its red tail and black stripe as well as the word ‘SURVEY’ and  registration number C-GSGF written across both sides of the plane. Based at Waterford airport, the plane will be flying at 60 metres over rural areas – about eight times the height of a two-storey house – and 240 metres over urban areas over the next few months.