Why Is Iceland Tunneling Into Magma?

magma deep underground, One of the least explored areas on earth. Scientists in Iceland want to push the limits of energy by reaching this mysterious region.

In line with this goal, Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) is the first test bed in the world. magma chamber research center plans to establish.

In fact, we wouldn’t be wrong if we said that everything started by accident.

Near Krafla in Northern Iceland in 2009 4.02 km underground potential magma chamber discovered.

Scientists started drilling in the region. But when they descended about 1.60 km, the drilling equipment jammed and When it came back out, it was carrying shards of volcanic glass. That’s when they realized they had stumbled upon the magma chamber.

After several measurements, the borehole became too hot and the operation was stopped. to cool cold water was poured into the well However, it caused damage to the equipment by emitting black smoke.

15 years later, KMT came to this room plans to drill again But they are more prepared than last time.

Krafla is the perfect place for this type of experimentation.

Magma Because it is old and dense, The risk of it exploding or flowing out of the well is low. But standard drilling equipment cannot survive in these conditions.

The solution is quite simple: solidify the magma. Team, by freezing the magma in front of the drill bit He plans to create a glassy rock. In this way, once the equipment is placed, it will collapse and they will be able to measure the internal temperature of the magma chamber for the first time.

If successful, the KMT could provide new information about volcanic activity.

Most of what we know about volcanoes is based on surface observations. However, when magma turns into lava It loses most of the gases as it rises to the surface. So we know very little about the magma composition before the eruption.

Direct magma sampling, About the composition of magma It could provide important information, which could help us trace its path underground. Frozen magma glass may also contain bubbles containing valuable magmatic gases.

KMT hopes to make geothermal energy more efficient by drilling into magma.

Magma changes the composition of surrounding rocks energy harvesting process can make it more efficient. The project could be a big step forward in both understanding volcanic activities and energy production.

KMT’s goal is to make the first drilling into the magma chamber in 2026. But for this big goal about 100 million dollars It is necessary.

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