Dataset description: USGS Archive of Computed tomography (CT) Scans of Coral Cores

This data release presents computed tomography (CT) imagery generated from coral core samples curated within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coral-Core Archive. These data were collected as part of ongoing USGS coral-reef research activities and include samples originating from multiple locations and collection efforts. A Geotek Rotating X-ray CT (RXCT) system was used to acquire x-ray images and perform CT reconstructions of archived coral cores. The full three-dimensional CT dataset consists of individual axial slices which are reconstructed images in TIFF format. These axial slices are oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the core. Two-dimensional orthogonal views are also provided that illustrate representative downcore slabs of each core. Geotek software-proprietary XML files are provided in each folder containing axial slices and orthogonal views, containing more image-scaling and information on x-ray system settings and reconstruction parameters. This data release allows future expansions of the archive to incorporate CT imagery scanned under the same consistent methodology from additional coral cores, locations, and collection efforts.

Version	1
Keywords	tomography, core analysis, drilling and coring, atmospheric and climatic processes, marine geology, reef ecosystems
Data types	Geology, Biology, Chemistry
Format	TIFF; comma-delimited text;
Amount	288 GB

Comments:

Data release will be updated with additional cores, as of February 2026 only 2020-620-FA has core scans.

Contacts

Contact	Ferdinand K Oberle PCMSC_data@usgs.gov

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Location of materials and files

Public files	https://doi.org/10.5066/P139Y9H4
Metadata	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/metadata/pcmsc/DataReleases/ScienceBase/DR_P139Y9H4/USGSCoralCores_CT_Archive.xml Outline - Questions and answers - Text - XML

Activities and equipment

Activity	Equipment
11CGS01	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
12CBC01	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
12CBC03	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
08CGS01	Core Barrels
08CGS02	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
09CGS02	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
2018-331-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1978-302-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1986-304-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
2018-301-DD	Core Barrels
1980-300-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1983-302-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1989-301-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1991-301-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1978-303-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1991-305-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1991-302-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1983-300-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1977-301-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1974-300-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1979-300-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
1982-301-FA	Hydraulic Coring Drill Hydraulic drilling system is used to collect either rock cores (using an NQ-2inch wireline system) or coral cores (using a 4-inch diameter core barrel). Both systems utilize the same hydraulic power unit.
2020-620-FA	sampling equipment
1975-303-FA
1980-302-FA