​​The Tellus survey is a national programme to gather geochemical and geophysical data across Ireland – in other words, to examine the chemical and physical properties of our soil, rocks and water.

Tellus is undertaken by the Geological Survey Ireland and is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. All data from Tellus is made available free of charge online.

Tellus involves two types of surveying – airborne geophysical surveying using a low-flying aircraft and ground-based geochemical surveying of soil, stream water and stream sediment.

To date, Tellus surveying has been completed in Northern Ireland (2004–2008) and the border region of Ireland (2011–2013). Tellus airborne surveying has been completed in the north midlands region of Ireland (2014–2015), the eastern midlands region (2015), and most recently the west of Ireland (2016 -2017). Tellus is on track to complete surveying of the entire island of Ireland on a phased basis, completing 50% by end 2017.

Longer term plans for Tellus surveying will be announced in early spring 2018.