How the UK stores marine rock samples—and how you can help

Marine rock samples collected by dredge or remotely operated vehicles (ROV) are an exceptional resource of immense scientific value which help inform geoscience research and contribute to the Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) research areas including Earth resources, mantle and core processes, physics & chemistry of Earth materials and volcanic processes.

Currently, there is no repository for marine rock samples collected by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded scientists and research ships so a Rock Store Working Group, involving the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), the British Geological Survey, the British Antarctic Survey and the Universities of Southampton, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Manchester, is inviting the UK’s marine science community to complete a survey which will help define the future requirements for marine dredge rock and ROV rock samples facilities. Results will be provided to the NOC Association of Marine Science National Capability Beneficiaries to consider next steps. The survey is open to UKRI-NERC funded scientists and the closing date for responses is 18 December 2024.