North Sea Core Initiative (2024 round 2)

The IAS in collaboration with North Sea Core CIC is pleased to sponsor the distribution of core samples for teaching from a range of depositional environments to academic institutions that do not necessarily have the funds to acquire these themselves. The scheme is open to IAS Ordinary Members, who apply on behalf of their institutions. Any core samples granted will remain the property of the institution to be used exclusively for teaching. Roughly twenty (20) sets of core samples will be awarded each year, with shipping costs covered by the scheme.

Applications are made through Member profiles on the IAS website. There are two calls for applications, closing at midnight CET on 30th June and 31st December respectively. Applicants will be able to select from three possible packages:

HAND SAMPLES

A set of hand samples allows students to appreciate the nature of core samples and to do a basic interpretation of lithology, colour, density, and depositional environment. Each set will consist of:

• Seven (7) pieces of half cut core – for example aeolian sandstone, fluvial conglomerate, deep-water sandstone, deep marine mudstone, pelagic chalk, oil-stained sandstone, anhydrite
• A poster providing some details on the cores
• A recycled core box to store the cores

RESINATED SLABS

A set of resinated slabs allows students to perform a more in-depth interpretation of sedimentary features of a range of depositional environments. Each set comprises:

• Three (3) resinated slabs (up to 50 cm in length) showing depositional environments such as fluvial, deep-water, aeolian, shallow marine or deltaic sedimentation
• Accompanying digital data (composite well logs, core reports, seismic lines)

COMBINATION

A combination of hand samples and resinated slabs is also possible. This will consist of up to two (2) slabs and four (4) hand samples, plus supporting information about the cores.

Applications will be evaluated by a sub-committee of the IAS Council of Management and NSC. Strong preference will be given to institutions that are financially or logistically unable to acquire these sets or similar materials themselves, and where the core samples will be most extensively utilised and strongly benefit the teaching programme.