© SAUL LOEB/AFP/Archives
This is the latest breakthrough by Chinese engineers. The project, which began on May 30, plans to establish a record in China, namely digging a hole 10,000m deep. By this operation, relayed by Science Post, scientists hope to reach rocks from the Cretaceous period, dating back 145 million years.
Until then, the world record was held by the Kola drilling, in the northwest of Russia. Started in May 1970, its study continued even after the fall of the Soviet Union, reaching a depth of 11,034m below sea level. Thanks to this drilling, the different layers of rocks present in the earth's crust were discovered, and thus supported the theory around tectonic plates.
The observations made it possible to uncover various unexpected observations, such as the composition of deep rocks that contain water. In addition, the researchers of the time were able to note the presence of micro-organisms at a depth that allows little access to sunlight and nutrients. An observation that was necessary because it was unlikely on paper.
A perilous operation, drilling causes an increase in the pressure exerted by the rocks as one descends, and the temperatures also become increasingly significant. Not to mention the instability of the rock formations that can threaten at any time.
However, the goal of the breakthrough is to reach the Cretaceous geological period. A bet that would allow according to Bloomberg to better identify fossil and mineral resources, as well as gather new elements in order to assess environmental risks such as earthquakes.
The project would allow interesting innovations in the field of geoscience research. Enough to fuel new avenues of thought in the future and reveal the promise of significant advances in geological exploration.
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