To better understand the geophysical characteristics and seismic history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, USGS researchers conduct fieldwork at sea to collect evidence of turbidity currents from underwater landslides likely caused by earthquake shaking.
Where can I get data from core samples, or access the actual cores?
The USGS Core Research Center (CRC) is one of the largest public core repositories in the country. It is home to 9,800 rock cores (full-diameter cores and slabbed cores), 53,000 well cuttings, over 25,000 thin sections taken from cataloged cores and cuttings, and provides a text-based and map-based well catalog search to find data and information on wells.
Since 1974 the center has supplied valuable scientific information to academia, government agencies, and industry alike, and the extensive collection is still available for study by interested parties. Visits are by appointment only so to schedule an appointment contact the CRC at crc@usgs.gov or (303) 202-4851. Please review these FAQs for help in planning a visit.
The CRC also keeps a list of other federal and state core repositories around the country, and links to state well data.
Related Content
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
Detailed geologic mapping has not been completed for the entire United States, but maps are available for most locations. Geologic maps at many scales and from many sources are listed in the National Geologic Map Database . Some geologic maps can be purchased in hard copy through the USGS Store . Download digital geologic maps for entire states from the USGS Mineral Resources Online Geospatial...
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
The USGS Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geology Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work. The collection is located in the USGS Library in Denver, Colorado, and is available for on-premises examination during normal library hours. See the...
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) , formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources: Some are on the NRCS website . Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...
What is Earth MRI?
The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a partnership of the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other governmental, Tribal and private sector entities to update the nation’s surface and subsurface mapping, to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical...
Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone
To better understand the geophysical characteristics and seismic history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, USGS researchers conduct fieldwork at sea to collect evidence of turbidity currents from underwater landslides likely caused by earthquake shaking.
Splitting Cores
USGS scientist cuts open core taken in the field to sample soils and vegetation for chemical analysis.
USGS scientist cuts open core taken in the field to sample soils and vegetation for chemical analysis.
Austin Chalk Core
Bedding features in the core from the USGS Gulf Coast #4 Bonham borehole, in the Eagle Ford Group mudstones from a depth of about 401 feet, Fannin County, Texas. The Eagle Ford Group lies underneath the Austin Chalk and serves as the source rock for much of the Austin Chalk's petroleum.
Bedding features in the core from the USGS Gulf Coast #4 Bonham borehole, in the Eagle Ford Group mudstones from a depth of about 401 feet, Fannin County, Texas. The Eagle Ford Group lies underneath the Austin Chalk and serves as the source rock for much of the Austin Chalk's petroleum.
Drilling an Ice Core
Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core from Yellowstone Lake
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core collected from core YL16-3A from the Deep Hole, the deepest part of Yellowstone Lake at about 119 m (390 feet) depth, southeast of Stevenson Island. Photo taken in September 2016 by Lisa Morgan.
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core collected from core YL16-3A from the Deep Hole, the deepest part of Yellowstone Lake at about 119 m (390 feet) depth, southeast of Stevenson Island. Photo taken in September 2016 by Lisa Morgan.
Eagle Ford Drill Core
A drill core from near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
A drill core from near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
Long Island core samples
Long Island core samples
Long Island core samples
Related Content
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
Detailed geologic mapping has not been completed for the entire United States, but maps are available for most locations. Geologic maps at many scales and from many sources are listed in the National Geologic Map Database . Some geologic maps can be purchased in hard copy through the USGS Store . Download digital geologic maps for entire states from the USGS Mineral Resources Online Geospatial...
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
The USGS Field Records Collection is an archive of unpublished field notes, maps, correspondence, manuscripts, analysis reports, and other data created or collected by USGS Geology Discipline scientists during field studies and other project work. The collection is located in the USGS Library in Denver, Colorado, and is available for on-premises examination during normal library hours. See the...
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) , formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources: Some are on the NRCS website . Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...
What is Earth MRI?
The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a partnership of the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other governmental, Tribal and private sector entities to update the nation’s surface and subsurface mapping, to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical...
Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone
To better understand the geophysical characteristics and seismic history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, USGS researchers conduct fieldwork at sea to collect evidence of turbidity currents from underwater landslides likely caused by earthquake shaking.
To better understand the geophysical characteristics and seismic history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, USGS researchers conduct fieldwork at sea to collect evidence of turbidity currents from underwater landslides likely caused by earthquake shaking.
Splitting Cores
USGS scientist cuts open core taken in the field to sample soils and vegetation for chemical analysis.
USGS scientist cuts open core taken in the field to sample soils and vegetation for chemical analysis.
Austin Chalk Core
Bedding features in the core from the USGS Gulf Coast #4 Bonham borehole, in the Eagle Ford Group mudstones from a depth of about 401 feet, Fannin County, Texas. The Eagle Ford Group lies underneath the Austin Chalk and serves as the source rock for much of the Austin Chalk's petroleum.
Bedding features in the core from the USGS Gulf Coast #4 Bonham borehole, in the Eagle Ford Group mudstones from a depth of about 401 feet, Fannin County, Texas. The Eagle Ford Group lies underneath the Austin Chalk and serves as the source rock for much of the Austin Chalk's petroleum.
Drilling an Ice Core
Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core from Yellowstone Lake
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core collected from core YL16-3A from the Deep Hole, the deepest part of Yellowstone Lake at about 119 m (390 feet) depth, southeast of Stevenson Island. Photo taken in September 2016 by Lisa Morgan.
Cut polycarbonate sections of sediment core collected from core YL16-3A from the Deep Hole, the deepest part of Yellowstone Lake at about 119 m (390 feet) depth, southeast of Stevenson Island. Photo taken in September 2016 by Lisa Morgan.
Eagle Ford Drill Core
A drill core from near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
A drill core from near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
Long Island core samples
Long Island core samples
Long Island core samples