Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

This site is currently in beta, and your feedback is helping shape its ongoing development.

Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS)

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 27, 2026 | Last Modified: 2023-07-13T00:00:00.000+00:00
The Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS) product is being decommissioned. Archived IMLGS data will only be available via an archive request to ncei.info@noaa.gov. The planned retirement date is May 5th, 2025. The Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS) describes and provides access to ocean floor and lakebed rock and sediment samples curated by participating institutional and government repositories in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Each curatorial facility prepares and submits data about their own collection to NCEI for inclusion in the IMLGS. NCEI, on behalf of the Curator community, maintains the IMLGS database and a dedicated web application for data discovery and access. Physical material from most samples may be requested from the responsible Curator for scientific research using contact information provided in IMLGS data listings. As of July 2023, the IMLGS includes information for 228,785 discrete seabed and lakebed cores, grabs, dredges, and drill holes worldwide. Minimum sample information required for the IMLGS includes ship/platform name, cruise ID, sample ID, sampling device, and latitude/longitude. Water depth, collection date, storage method, and principal investigator are usually included. Core dimensions and depth to top and bottom of interval is available for many core samples. Descriptions, comments, physiographic province, lithology, texture, mineralogy, other components, glass remarks, metamorphism information, weathering information, color, and geologic age are included for some samples. An International Generic Sample Number (IGSN) is included, if available. Links are also provided to related data and images at NCEI, partner institutions, and to other sources of information including the System for Earth SAmple Registration (SESAR) and the Rolling Deck to Repository (R2R). The IMLGS database was initially designed by a group of Curators, in cooperation with NGDC (now NCEI), at a series of meetings sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) beginning in 1977. The Curators group continues to meet annually to share best practices and oversee the IMLGS database.

Find Related Datasets

Click any tag below to search for similar datasets

Databases Scientific archives Electronic records Oceanography Ocean bottom Geology Submarine geology Marine sediments Marine geology Rock and sediment lithology and mineralogy Sea-floor characteristics lacustrine sediments Earth Science > Oceans > Marine Sediments Earth Science > Oceans > Marine Sediments > Sediment Composition Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ocean/Lake Records > Sediments In Situ Ocean-based Platforms > Ships In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Coring Devices In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Dredging Devices In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Grabbers/Traps/Collectors > Grab Samplers In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Rock Corers In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Sediment Corers In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Box Core In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Gravity Corer In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Trawls/Nets > Bottom Trawl IMLGS > Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce Geographic Region > Global Ocean Vertical Location >Sea Floor Ocean > Arctic Ocean Ocean > Atlantic Ocean Ocean > Indian Ocean Ocean > Pacific Ocean Ocean > Southern Ocean

Complete Metadata
@type dcat:Dataset
accessLevel non-public
contactPoint 
                                            {
  "fn": "Not provided - Contact data.gov",
  "hasEmail": "mailto:datagovsupport@gsa.gov"
}
describedByType application/octet-steam
description The Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS) product is being decommissioned. Archived IMLGS data will only be available via an archive request to ncei.info@noaa.gov. The planned retirement date is May 5th, 2025. The Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS) describes and provides access to ocean floor and lakebed rock and sediment samples curated by participating institutional and government repositories in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Each curatorial facility prepares and submits data about their own collection to NCEI for inclusion in the IMLGS. NCEI, on behalf of the Curator community, maintains the IMLGS database and a dedicated web application for data discovery and access. Physical material from most samples may be requested from the responsible Curator for scientific research using contact information provided in IMLGS data listings. As of July 2023, the IMLGS includes information for 228,785 discrete seabed and lakebed cores, grabs, dredges, and drill holes worldwide. Minimum sample information required for the IMLGS includes ship/platform name, cruise ID, sample ID, sampling device, and latitude/longitude. Water depth, collection date, storage method, and principal investigator are usually included. Core dimensions and depth to top and bottom of interval is available for many core samples. Descriptions, comments, physiographic province, lithology, texture, mineralogy, other components, glass remarks, metamorphism information, weathering information, color, and geologic age are included for some samples. An International Generic Sample Number (IGSN) is included, if available. Links are also provided to related data and images at NCEI, partner institutions, and to other sources of information including the System for Earth SAmple Registration (SESAR) and the Rolling Deck to Repository (R2R). The IMLGS database was initially designed by a group of Curators, in cooperation with NGDC (now NCEI), at a series of meetings sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) beginning in 1977. The Curators group continues to meet annually to share best practices and oversee the IMLGS database.
distribution 
                                            [
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Metadata Landing Page",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "How to cite this data set (doi:10.7289/V5H41PB8), all access options, and complete documentation.",
    "downloadURL": "https://doi.org/10.7289/V5H41PB8",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Web page",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Web page of information about the database and the Curators group.",
    "downloadURL": "http://www.seabedsamples.org",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Table View",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "A table view for searching and exporting data from the IMLGS database and accessing related links.",
    "downloadURL": "https://gis.ngdc.noaa.gov/viewers/imlgs/samples/table",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Map viewer",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Open an ArcGIS interactive map interface to search and download data from the IMLGS database and access related links.",
    "downloadURL": "https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/sample_index/",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "The new IMLGS web application",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The new IMLGS web application, which uses a new REST-style API, provides a user interface for querying and displaying the IMLGS data.",
    "downloadURL": "https://gis.ngdc.noaa.gov/viewers/imlgs/samples",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "NOAA GeoPlatform",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Access sample information from the IMLGS using the NOAA GeoPlatform.",
    "downloadURL": "https://noaa.hub.arcgis.com/maps/49908f2749c74831ab4845a5cea8a90d/explore",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Web Map Service (WMS)",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Web Map Service Getcapabilities, how to use WMS to display sample locations.",
    "downloadURL": "https://gis.ngdc.noaa.gov/arcgis/services/Sample_Index/MapServer/WMSServer?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Sample information from all phases of scientific ocean drilling, DSDP, ODP, and IODP.",
    "downloadURL": "https://doi.org/10.7289/V57M05XN",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Parent Archive",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Information about the Marine Geology Data Archive at NCEI.",
    "downloadURL": "https://data.noaa.gov/metaview/page?xml=NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC/Collection/iso/xml/Marine_Geology.xml&view=getDataView&header=none",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Marine geology metadata records.",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "downloadURL": "https://data.noaa.gov/waf/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC/MGG/Geology/iso/",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) are part of a Linked Data Service, actively maintained since 1898 to catalog materials held at the Library of Congress.",
    "downloadURL": "http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "SeaDataNet Common Vocabularies",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The SeaDataNet Vocabulary Server is populated with lists describing a wide range of entities relevant to marine metadata and data such as parameters, sea area names, platform classes, instrument types, and so on.",
    "downloadURL": "http://www.seadatanet.org/Standards-Software/Common-Vocabularies",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "USGS Thesaurus",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The USGS Thesaurus contains thematic terms for categorizing information resources intended to support finding and understanding scientific information.",
    "downloadURL": "https://www2.usgs.gov/science/about/",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "NAL Agricultural Thesaurus (NALT)",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library's (NAL) Agricultural Thesaurus (NALT).",
    "downloadURL": "http://agclass.nal.usda.gov/",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "GCMD Keyword Forum Page",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords",
    "downloadURL": "https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords.",
    "downloadURL": "https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "NCEI Contact Information",
    "mediaType": "placeholder/value",
    "description": "Information for contacts at NCEI.",
    "downloadURL": "https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-steam"
  }
]
identifier gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.geology:G00028
isPartOf NCEI Marine Geology Data Archive
issued 1977-12-31T00:00:00.000+00:00
keyword 
                                            [
  "Databases",
  "Scientific archives",
  "Electronic records",
  "Oceanography",
  "Ocean bottom",
  "Geology",
  "Submarine geology",
  "Marine sediments",
  "Marine geology",
  "Rock and sediment lithology and mineralogy",
  "Sea-floor characteristics",
  "lacustrine sediments",
  "Earth Science > Oceans > Marine Sediments",
  "Earth Science > Oceans > Marine Sediments > Sediment Composition",
  "Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ocean/Lake Records > Sediments",
  "In Situ Ocean-based Platforms > Ships",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Coring Devices",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Dredging Devices",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Grabbers/Traps/Collectors > Grab Samplers",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Rock Corers",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Sediment Corers",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Box Core",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Corers > Gravity Corer",
  "In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Samplers > Trawls/Nets > Bottom Trawl",
  "IMLGS > Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples",
  "ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System",
  "DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce",
  "DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce",
  "Geographic Region > Global Ocean",
  "Vertical Location >Sea Floor",
  "Ocean > Arctic Ocean",
  "Ocean > Atlantic Ocean",
  "Ocean > Indian Ocean",
  "Ocean > Pacific Ocean",
  "Ocean > Southern Ocean"
]
language 
                                            []
license https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified 2023-07-13T00:00:00.000+00:00
publisher 
                                            {
  "name": "NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information",
  "@type": "org:Organization"
}
references 
                                            [
  "https://doi.org/10.7289/V57M05XN",
  "https://data.noaa.gov/metaview/page?xml=NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC/Collection/iso/xml/Marine_Geology.xml&view=getDataView&header=none",
  "https://data.noaa.gov/waf/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC/MGG/Geology/iso/"
]
rights otherRestrictions, otherRestrictions, unclassified
spatial 180.0,-88.367,-180.0,90.0
temporal 1885-04-01T00:23:00+00:00/1885-04-01T00:23:00+00:00
title Index to Marine and Lacustrine Geological Samples (IMLGS)

data.gov

An official website of the GSA's Technology Transformation Services

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov