The Long Coring Facility, New Techniques in Deep Ocean Coring

A new technique, the Long Coring Facility (LCF), is currently being developed which will enable the recovery of 50 meter piston corer from oceanic depths of up to 6500 meters. The LCF will be completely portable and is designed for use aboard a selected number of research vessels.The need for a device of this nature has arisen from requirements identified by both the scientific and engineering community for the acquisition of long, high quality cores for use in interdisciplinary studies. The development of the LCF has relied on previous coring experience and the creation of a series of computer models designed to predict the performance of the developing system. Based on the results of these analysis it is apparent that a reliable, and efficient coring system can be produced utilizing existing technology.