EPOS, the European Plate Observing System, is a unique e-infrastructure and collaborative environment for the solid earth science community in Europe and beyond. A wide range of world-class experimental (analogue modelling and rock and melt physics) and analytical laboratory infrastructures are concerted in a “Thematic Core Service” (TCS) labelled “Multi-scale Laboratories”. Currently we chair the Consortium Board of this TCS, which is coordinated by the Utrecht University.

Sharing experimental facilities and data on analogue modelling of tectonic processes as well as on properties and applicability of different rock analogue materials are among the thematic areas that have been prioritized as major objectives to be achieved during the current implementation phase of EPOS. The TCS Multi-scale Laboratories offers coordination of the laboratories’ network, data services, and trans-national access to laboratory facilities.

In the framework of Transnational Access (TNA), TCS Multi-scale laboratories’ facilities are accessible to researchers and research teams across Europe, creating new opportunities for synergy, collaboration and innovation, according to trans-national access rules. TNA can be realized in the form of physical access (in-situ experimenting and analysis), remote service (sample analysis) and virtual access (remote processing).

In the framework of Data Services, TCS Multi Scale Laboratories brings forward data products in the form of open access published experimental research data sets. Data sets are assigned a digital object identifier (doi) and are citable in all relevant journals. A dedicated metadata standard eases exploration of the various data sets of in a TCS catalogue. With respect to analogue modelling, current data sets include analogue material properties (friction and rheology data) and modelling results (images, maps, graphs, animations).

Funding: H2020, 2015-2019

PIs: Onno Oncken, Matthias Rosenau