Scientists will attempt to drill a well under Krafla volcano
In 2008, scientists tried to drill a well into a pocket of magma under the Krafla volcano in Iceland. The magma chamber was closer than expected, so it opened and destroyed the well. But the main thing is that there was no catastrophe in the form of an eruption caused by drilling, which proved that it is possible to control access to magma and gave us hope for the taming of the volcano’s energy in the future.
Taking into account the experience gained, the scientists will make a number of attempts to get as close as possible to the magma chambers under Krafla. The next drilling is scheduled for 2026. The project is being carried out by the Krafla Magma Testband (KMT), an organization specially created for this purpose.
“Being able to penetrate the crust and take magma samples would give us tremendous knowledge,” the researchers say. “We hope to be able to at least take a direct temperature measurement, which has never been done before.
The project is very ambitious. Heat-resistant tools and measuring equipment must be developed to reach the right depth and monitor conditions near and inside magma pockets. It should be understood that detecting magma pockets and determining their depth is not a trivial task. As a rule, scientists drill almost blindly, hoping that the proximity to a volcano is likely to allow them to reach the magma chamber sooner or later.
If successful, the project will bring a lot to our knowledge of volcanoes and the causes of eruptions. But scientists also expect practical value from the work. In 2028, another drilling will be carried out on the slopes of Krafla, but with an eye on geothermal technologies. Using superheated water under high pressure, heated by magma in a pocket or near the chamber, it is planned to launch a turbine that generates an electric current. According to the researchers, powerful energy sources such as volcanoes should be gradually tamed to gain access to their unlimited clean energy.
