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Services

By Core Research Center

The Core Research Center provides research services and public tours.

Research

Thin section image of a lava sample from Yellowstone using a polarizing microscope.

Use our collection of cores, cuttings, and thin samples. 

Education

USGS scientist Bruce Wardlaw working with student volunteers on a tray of fossil specimens.

Give students a hands-on experience with geological materials and preservation. 

Guided Tours

Core Research Center workshop

Visit us and learn about our collection and preservation best practices. 

We're here for you.  

We provide our collections, space, and expertise to a wide range of visitors. We receive up to 2000 visits each year from researchers representing Federal and State agencies, industry, and educational institutions in the U.S. and abroad. 

 

 

What we offer

Media
Woman in purple shirt looks at rock core through a hand lens
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A USGS scientist examines core at the Core Research Center. 

 

 

Research Opportunities

We provide access to our collections, including the opportunity to view and/or sample cores and cuttings, view thin sections, or check out thin sections. 

We have on-site dedicated spaces to enable researchers to prepare thin sections and examine samples under controlled conditions, as well as meeting space to plan or discuss observations while viewing during the day. 

Media
USGS scientist Bruce Wardlaw working with student volunteers on a tray of fossil specimens.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

 

 

University Classes and Outreach 

We host university classes to provide students hands-on experience with geological materials and opportunities to learn more about preserving and archiving these irreplaceable materials.

 

 

Media
Core Research Center workshop
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

 

 

Guided Tours and Education 

We offer 30-minute guided tours to educate visitors about core handling, sample management, and preservation best practices.

 

 

Media
Flynn Creek Drill Core 67-01: Box 3
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

 

 

Online Viewing

Even if you are not on-site, you can view high-quality images of some of our cores in the CRC Well Catalog. Photographing our core and adding them online is an ongoing process. You can use the online images for research, or to identify core sections you would like to view during your next trip to the Core Research Center. 

 

 

Additional services may be accommodated by request. 

 

 

 

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment to use our collection for research or education, please review our policies and FAQs then reach out to crc@usgs.gov with your request. 

To schedule a tour, please reach out to crc@usgs.gov.

Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM, excluding Federal holidays. 

 

 

More About Your Visit

Media
Four views of the CRC a table with core boxes on them workstation desks, a conference room with chairs, a room with rock core
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Four views of the Core Research Center. Top left core exam room, top right cuttings exam room, bottom left large conference room, bottom right tour room

 

Our facilities include:

  • A large core and cutting examination room
  • A small conference room (10-person capacity) 
  • A large conference room (90-person capacity) 

 

We have the following research tools available:

  • Microscopes (petrographic and binocular)
  • Microscope camera
  • Photo stand and floodlights
  • Oil fluoroscopes
  • Sample dryer • 10% HCl
  • Water spray bottles
  • Measuring tools 

 

Please bring your own:

  • Flash drive for photomicrographs
  • Camera for core photography
  • Gloves, if using

  • Office supply tools (pens, pencils, sticky notes, etc.)

     

Please note that the Core Research Center does not have a public Wi-Fi network.


 

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