Tellus Survey airplane, 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.
Residents of Kerry, Cork, and parts of Limerick may notice a low-flying airplane this summer. This aircraft is part of the Tellus survey, conducted by Geological Survey Ireland, a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The distinctive white, twin-propeller plane with a red tail and black stripe, marked with the word ‘SURVEY’ and registration number C-GSGF, is hard to miss.
The Tellus survey is a national mapping programme aimed at collecting geochemical and geophysical data on rocks, soil, and water across Ireland. This initiative started 13 years ago as a collaboration between the geological surveys of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The survey plane, equipped with scientific instruments, flies in a grid pattern to gather data. In 2024, the plane will operate from Shannon Airport, flying at an altitude of 60 metres over rural areas and 240 metres over urban areas, as authorised by the Irish Aviation Authority. The aircraft will cover counties Kerry and Cork and parts of Limerick from June until late autumn, weather permitting.
Dr James Hodgson, the Tellus project manager at Geological Survey Ireland, expressed his enthusiasm for this final phase of the airborne survey.
“It’s fantastic to have the plane in the skies again for the final phase of airborne surveying. With over 80% of the island already covered, our team is looking forward to tackling the remaining portion of this substantial project. The airborne data already produced has helped us to improve our geological maps, enhance radon risk mapping, and facilitated new research on environmental pollution, agricultural productivity, and the study of peatlands,” he said.
The Tellus programme aims to complete the mapping of 100% of Ireland by the end of 2025. The data collected has the potential to deliver significant economic, environmental, and agricultural benefits by enhancing understanding of the local environment, soil management, and natural resource potential. All data from the Tellus project is published and freely available on the Tellus website (www.tellus.ie).
Due to the low altitude of the survey flights, the Tellus team encourages anyone with concerns about sensitive livestock to contact the Tellus Freephone Information Line on 1800 45 55 65 for information on upcoming flight plans.
Geological Survey Ireland, as the National Earth Science Agency, is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and acquiring data for this purpose. It produces a range of products including maps, reports, and databases, and serves as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology. The airborne survey is operated by Sander Geophysics Ltd., on behalf of Geological Survey Ireland. The aircraft carries instruments such as a magnetometer, a gamma ray detector, and a frequency-domain electromagnetic system to measure various geophysical properties of the ground. Navigation instruments include a satellite navigation system, a radar altimeter, and a video camera for data quality purposes. All instruments are safe and do not emit radiation.
‘Tellus’ takes its name from the Roman goddess of the earth, also known as Terra Mater, symbolising the survey’s mission to explore and understand the earth beneath our feet.