A 1971 marine sampling and geophysical survey by the British Geological Survey collected sea floor and sample data in the Irish Sea and Cardigan Bay. The survey drilled 13 boreholes in the north Irish Sea, 12 in Cardigan Bay, and 2 in Caernarvon Bay using methods including echo sounder, dredge, and gravity corer. Data collection occurred from July to December 1971 aboard the MV Whitethorn.
Use Cases
- Analyze sea floor data from echo sounder and transit sonar to map bathymetry and substrate composition.
- Compare sediment and rock core samples collected via vibrocorer and gravity corer across the three bay regions.
- Study geological strata from the 27 total boreholes drilled to understand regional shelf structure.
- Integrate sample data from dredge and shipek grab operations with geophysical readings for seabed characterization.
Strengths
- Survey includes data from 27 distinct borehole sites across three geographic areas.
- Multiple collection methods documented: echo sounder, transit sonar, wireline drilling, vibrocorer, gravity corer, dredge, and shipek grab.
- Conducted by the authoritative British Geological Survey, with data archived by BGS.
Limitations
- No specific survey report is available; only a summary exists in the IGS 1971 annual report.
- Sample data and column structure are unknown, limiting immediate analytical utility.
- Data is from a single 1971 campaign and may not reflect current geological conditions.
Provenance
- Source
- British Geological Survey (BGS)
- Collection Method
- Marine sampling and geophysical survey using echo sounder, transit sonar, borehole drilling, vibrocorer, gravity corer, dredge, and shipek grab.
- Time Range
- July to December 1971
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Irish Sea, Cardigan Bay, and Caernarvon Bay