Geologic Materials Center - General Information
GMC Headlines
- GMC January, 2012 monthly report available
- Jan 2012: GMC releases 2 new data reports (GMC 397, 398) derived from sampling.
- A GMC user survey summary, visitor statistics document, and detailed inventory summary are now available for download.
- An online version of the GMC inventory is now available!
- A Vision for Responsible Stewardship of geologic samples & data in Alaska
The mission of the Alaska Geologic Materials Center (GMC) is to permanently archive, index, protect, and make available for public inspection, accessible geologic materials and related data to help advance exploration and knowledge of Alaska's natural resources.
The Alaska GMC, located in Eagle River, is the central repository in which geologic materials collected from Alaska are cataloged, stored, and studied. The center is permanently maintained and managed by the State of Alaska with support from cooperating government agencies that include the USBLM, USGS, USBOEM, AOGCC and private industry.
The cores and samples stored at the GMC are extremely important, as the information they provide may potentially help discover new or additional oil and gas reserves, regions of viable geothermal energy, or new mineral prospects. One foot of core can provide critical information to an exploration or development company, potentially leading to discovery and ultimately to millions of dollars in lease, tax, and royalty revenue to the State and hundreds of local jobs.
Preserving the samples and keeping their subsequent data accessible is essential as the rocks and data provide clues to the timing and nature of complex geological processes that occur deep within the Earth. It is the careful piecing together of these clues and rigorous, reproducible analyses that lead researchers and geoscientists to a better understanding of our natural resources.