Once it is constructed, the workers also use the structure to help push the case of the core into the ground. Here the workers are removing the core. A pulley is used to help pull the heavy core up through the vacuum it leaves behind. After all that work, the core is now being loaded into the boat. As you can see, the core is quite heavy and requires several people to help lift it into the boat.
Cores come in many different styles.
Sometimes they require the tripod shown above, but sometimes they can just be pushed into the soft ground by hand. Shorter cores don't create as much of a vacuum when they are removed from the ground and can often just be pulled out without a pulley. Many times when we are in the field collecting samples, we depend on a number of our friends to help us collect and later examine the cores. The USGS works with a number of different companies. Harley and Tom work for the Florida Geological Survey and have been helping us with field work since the South Florida Ecosystem History Project began.