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's 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;
- a text-based and map-based well catalog search for finding well data and information.
This extensive collection is available for study by interested parties, but visits are by appointment only, so contact the CRC at crc@usgs.gov or (303) 202-4851 to schedule an appointment. 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 provides links to state well data.
Related
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
What is Earth MRI?

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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
U.S. Geological Survey Core Research Center: A gateway to subsurface discovery for geoscience research
Core Research Center
Catalog of thin sections and related drill hole information, available at the USGS Core Research Center, Denver, Colorado
Sampler of digital rock core information from the Core Research Center
Catalog of thin sections available at the USGS Core Research Center, Denver, Colorado
Related
What is the National Geologic Map Database?
Are there geologic maps or publications for where I live?
How can I find original field notes made by USGS geologists and geographers?
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
What is Earth MRI?

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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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