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Gulf Coast Repository (GCR)

The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program's (IODP) Gulf Coast Repository (GCR) is located in the Research Park on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas. This repository stores DSDP, ODP, and IODP cores from the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and the Southern Ocean. A satellite repository at Rutgers University houses New Jersey/Delaware land cores 150X and 174AX.

The GCR houses over 100 kilometers of core in approximately 15,000 square feet of refrigerated space. In addition, the GCR stores thin section, smear slide, and residue collections, which are available to scientists for study.

The GCR also houses the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) Core Collection. This collection can be sampled and analyzed according to the Earthscope Data Policy (Word document).

Another function of the GCR is to host tours and to promote the educational use of the cores. The repository maintains close links with the College of Geosciences and hosts a historical geology course each year.

Obtaining Samples

One of the main functions of the GCR is to provide a service to the international scientific community. Scientists engaged in geoscience research are welcome to schedule a visit to the GCR to study or sample core, or to request samples to be taken and shipped by GCR staff. Visitors have at their disposal three computerized sampling stations, photographic equipment, and a microscope lab.

Scientists may obtain samples by submitting a sample request form. Please familiarize yourself with the IODP sample and data obligations policy before requesting samples.

Please contact us before you make travel arrangements to ensure that the GCR is available and prepared for your visit:

Gulf Coast Repository 1000 Discovery Drive Texas A&M University College Station TX 77845

Phil Rumford Phone: (979) 845-8490 Fax: (979) 845-1303 Email: rumford@iodp.tamu.edu

GCR Resources

• Cores stored at the GCR:
  DSDP Legs: 1, 4 (Sites 29-31), 5, 6 (Sites 44-52, 55-59), 7-10, 15-18, 19 (Sites 183, 192-193), 20, 21 (Site 204), 28 (Sites 268-274), 29 (Sites 275-279), 30 (Sites 288-289), 32-35, 54-55, 61-70, 77, 83-86, 88-89, 90 (Site 594), 91-92, 96
  ODP Legs: 100, 111-113, 119 (Sites 739-744), 124 (Site 777), 129, 130, 132 (Site 810), 136-148, 165, 167-170, 178, 181, 185, 188, 191 (Site 1179), 192, 197-206
  IODP Exp: 301, 308-312, 317, 318, 320-321, 324, 327, 329, 330, 334, 335
  
  
• Frozen (-86°) microbiology archive samples from the GCR & KCC
  
  
• Quantity of core stored at the GCR
  
  
• Layout, equipment, and supplies
  
  
• GCR display cores
  Some of the more interesting core sections from our collection are used as display cores for visitors, tours, and classes and show the different types of material we have recovered from beneath the seafloor.
  
  
• Core close-up photo page
  Please contact repository staff if you wish to view close-up photos of specific core intervals before visiting the GCR or submitting a sample request.
  
  
• Photo gallery
  
  
• SAFOD cores
  
  
• Texas A&M University Courses
  • Geology 106: Historical Geology Laboratory

The GCR staff looks forward to your visit!