The MGSL core collection currently consists of 1548 piston, trigger weight, gravity, and box cores that are stored under refrigerated conditions. Most of the cores have been split and are stored as working and archive halves in sealed plastic D-tubes. Each core is identified by the ship from which it was collected, the number of the core, and in most cases, its type. For example, TR-083-BC-1 designates the first box core of Trident cruise 83. The Cruise Reports are in pdf format. To view these files they must be first downloaded and then viewed in Adobe Abcorbat Reader to view. The current holdings of the core collection have been sorted and tabulated by Marsden Squares, which divide the globe in 10° x 10° areas. This sorting allows for rapid determination of core coverage in areas of potential interest. Maps of Sediment Core Locations Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Mediterranean Sea Caribbean Sea Cruise Reports For sediment cores in collection

Large diameter piston cores from the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean

---

Sediment Core Database

To find out if the MGSL holds a sediment core in a particular area you can use our interactive Filemaker Pro databases. This feature allows you input a specific Marsden Square and retrieve a list of cores that fall within the area. Use the Marsden Square maps to select the area of interest. The results of the search will include specific information about the cores such as date of collection, location, water depth, length and lithology. Click here to use the interactive core database (UNDER CONSTRUCTION).

You can also search the NGDC database for holdings from many different instutuions. NGDC web site.

The results of a database search provides core lithology code based on the convention used by the NGDC for the Marine Core Curators File.Two letters are used to describe the dominant and sub-dominant sediment type in the core. Assignment of these codes is based on the visual core descriptions which are on file in the curator's office at the Marine Geological Samples Laboratory and can be obtained by written request. The NGDC website provides more information about core lithology.

NGDC sediment lithology codes

Calcareous material
A-non biogenic calcareous material
B-biogenic calcareous material (no dominant component)
C-foraminifera
D-pteropods
E-nannofossils
F-shells
G-corals
H-spines
I-oolites
J-ostracods
K-dolomite
L-calcareous algae

Biosiliceous
M-biosiliceous material (no dominant component)
N-radiolaria
O-diatoms
P-sponge spicules

Terrigenous
Q-terrigenous material (commonly silt and/or clay)
R-volcanics