Core Study is Finished!

After four weeks of study we have finally finished logging and sampling the new core! It was challenging to complete it all on time, but we did it! What an opportunity to spend 4 weeks studying this core, with such fantastic quality of rock from the Early Carboniferous. If I asked myself what I would love to be doing for a job 10 years ago, this would be it!

Core-tastic statistics: In the month we logged 502 metres of core, which was recorded on 143 sheets of A4 graph paper, using up two pens and 4 pencils! We also took hundreds of detailed photographs of features like palaeosols, fossil beds and sedimentary structures. Emma and Andrea have taken around 700 combined samples that will be analysed for palynology, isotopes and sedimentology, with a sample taken at least every metre.

The core reveals that palaeosols are present throughout the sequence, and so are cementstones, of various types. The sand bodies were smaller than those we recorded from fieldwork, but you would expect variation in these across the basin. We have seen many fossils and fossil-rich beds that we will go back to study in-depth in the future – there are many types of fossils including bones!

 
Now we have a lot of samples to keep us busy for the winter!

Top: Emma and Andrea measuring a box of core prior to sampling. Middle: Tim and Carys logging, Tim is checking the palaeosol classification colour. Bottom: We are finished! The team with the last box of core. All images © Tim Kearsey.

Thank you to the staff at the BGS Core Store for their efficient work in changing core boxes, answering our queries and generally putting up with our residence for a month! If you are interested in studying a borehole then you can find out about the collection online at the BGS onshoreborehole material database.


Where did the core come from? Check out our slideshow of when we drilled the core on the TW:eed Project Website.

Until next time

Carys