An ark in the rock

The world’s first seed vault, designed to keep samples of seeds safe for a warmer future, is a solid affair, according to details released this week.

The Arctic seed vault will be built on the largest of Norway’s High Arctic Svalbard islands.

Construction on the vault is to begin next month and wrap up by September. The vault will officially open a year from now.

The vault will be located 130 metres above current sea level to avoid any flooding due to rising sea levels. To keep things cool, the vault will be blasted 120 metres into the rock.

The entry tunnel opens into two large chambers that will hold up to three million seed samples.

At the entrance, there will be a narrow triangular structure of cement and metal, with artwork designed to change according to the season.

Security measures include several sets of reinforced doors between the entrance and the chambers, no windows, and a video monitoring system.

“This design takes us one step closer to guaranteeing the safety of the world’s most important natural resource,” said Dr. Cary Fowler, executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which will help pay for the vault’s operations as well as the preparation and transport of seeds to the vault.