UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments

The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between June and September 2026 This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth’s dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions.

The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a ‘tape recorder’ that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe’s past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles.

In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming.

The Contractor must be able to supply the full operational spread including a drill rig, the vessel, and all personnel required to operate the spread. The drilling platform must be capable of recovering core to at least 1200m below seafloor in shallow water depths (28m or 60m). UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice: 2025/S 000-014119