There are a number of different core types in the OSU-MGR collections. Below is a brief guide to help in deciding what type of samples to request. There are additional coring devices not listed below. Please contact osu-mgr@oregonstate.edu with any further questions.
| Name | Abbreviation | Description | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston Core | PC | Up to 30 m in length | Longest records, surface sediments lost |
| Jumbo Piston Core | JC | Same as PC but larger diameter | Longest records, surface sediments lost |
| Trigger Core | TC | Same deployment as associated PC/JC but shorter core (maximum 3 m in length) | Likely better recovery of surface sediments |
| Gravity Core | GC | Up to 12 m in length | Likely better recovery of surface sediments |
| Multicore | MC | Shorter record- cores are maximum 60 cm in length | Best recovery of surface sediments |
| Kasten Core | KC | Up to 4 m in length, rectangular core collects larger volume than gravity core | Greater volume of sediment recovered |
| Box Core | BC | Recovers large volume of upper sediments (60 cm max) | Minimal disturbance of upper sediments |
| Vibracore | VC | Vibrating corer recovers up to 6 m in length | Used to sample sandy sediments |
| Grab | G | Simple scoop | Surface sediments only, no stratigraphy recovered |
| Push Core | PU | Manually driven core used to sample marsh sediments where no other coring device is an option | Variable recovery and core condition |
| Dredge | D | Chain net dragged along the seafloor | Chips off and catches rocks from a swath of the seafloor |
| Dive | D | ROV-deployed samplers | Grab samples or small cores collected with ROV arm |