The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, built into a mountain on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, received 50,000 new seed samples from gene banks across 23 countries. The deposit includes rare crop varieties from conflict zones and climate-stressed regions.
Crop diversity is declining globally; the vault ensures future generations can restore lost varieties.
Largest single deposit ever
Includes samples from conflict zones
6,000+ species represented
The vault is designed to preserve seeds for thousands of years without human intervention.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received 50,000 new seed samples in its largest single deposit, bringing total holdings to over 1.3 million. This development builds on a longer history of events in science.
Looking ahead: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received 50,000 new seed samples in its largest single deposit, bringing total holdings to over 1.3 million. Looking forward, this story is likely to develop further as new information emerges.
- 0150,000 new samples deposited
- 02Total now exceeds 1.3 million
- 03Samples from 23 countries
2008: Vault opened
2024: 1 million samples
2026: 1.3 million samples
50,000 new samples deposited
receives
/ɹɪˈsiːvz/nounMeaning: An operation in which data is received.
Easy meaning: An operation in which data is received.
samples
nounMeaning: A part or snippet of something taken or presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen.
Easy meaning: A part or snippet of something taken or presented for inspection
Example: a blood sample
largest
/ˈlɑːd͡ʒɪst/adjectiveMeaning: Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
Easy meaning: Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
Example: Russia is a large country. The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size. He has a large collection of stamps.
deposit
/dɪˈpɒzɪt/nounMeaning: Sediment or rock that is not native to its present location or is different from the surrounding material. Sometimes refers to ore or gems.
Easy meaning: Sediment or rock that is not native to its present location or is different from the surrounding material. Sometimes refers to ore or gems.
Example: a deposit of seaweed on the shore
mountain
/ˈmaʊntɪn/nounMeaning: An elevation of land of considerable dimensions rising more or less abruptly, forming a conspicuous figure in the landscape, usually having a small extent of surface at its summit.
Easy meaning: An elevation of land of considerable dimensions rising more or less abruptly
Example: We spent the weekend hiking in the mountains.
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