Low flying aircraft can be expected over Galway, Mayo and parts of Roscommon, Offaly, Clare and Tipperary in coming weeks as part of a geological mapping project.

The Tellus project collects data on rocks, soil and water across the country.

Tellus airborne #geophysical survey takes off over southeast Ireland! #waterford #wexford https://t.co/Q4BtxdfcSB pic.twitter.com/bejnH0GmaC

— Tellus (@TellusGSI) May 5, 2016

An aircraft will fly at a low level of 60m over rura lareas collecting geological informatio, rising to 240m over urban areas.

The white, twin propeller plane has a red tail, black stripe and registration number CGSGF

According to Tellus, the sound of the plane is similar to that of a passing lorry.

It has already identified significant geological discoveries, including precious metals in the south east and buried volcanoes along the Westmeath and Offaly border.

Horse and livestock owners in particular are being alerted to the increase in airborne activity.