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Drilling For Magma

Posted by timothy on from the cue-number-two dept.

Makarand writes "In an effort to better understand volcanic eruption patterns researchers in Japan are planning undertake the world's first volcano drilling experiment to get samples of magma according to this Japan Times online article. They plan to drill 1700 meters deep to penetrate a volcanic vent. The drilling operation will use muddy water as a coolant which will also help prevent volcanic gas and other substances from spewing out. They will start in late January and are expected to extract a sample about 200 meters long and 15 cm in diameter by summer. Studying such samples is expected to reveal secrets not possible with studies conducted from above ground and mere observation of rocks around the volcanic vent."

5 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. The Core by GuyMannDude · · Score: 3, Funny

    I just pray they'll be able to restart the core spinning. Man, those superstorms really look dangerous!

    GMD

    --
    watch this
  2. Darwin Award by MegaHamsterX · · Score: 3, Funny

    God, this sounds like a candidate for a Darwin award, isn't magma pressurized, isn't this why it shoots out of volcanos with force??

  3. muddy water coolant? by PD · · Score: 3, Funny

    I knew singin' the blues was cool, but damn, I never realized just how cool.

    --
    If tits were wings it'd be flying around.
  4. is it just me... by random735 · · Score: 3, Funny

    or does this sound like the beginning of a bad scifi movie that ends with large, rampaging monsters destroying Tokyo?

  5. If you puncture the earth's crust... by Omkar · · Score: 3, Funny

    all the gravity will fall out!