GeoLaB: Successful Exploratory Drilling at Odenwald Site

The GeoLaB research project, led by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has successfully completed exploratory drilling in the Tromm region of the Odenwald in Hesse. This marks a major step forward in the exploration phase of the planned underground laboratory for deep geothermal energy. The aim of the work is to test whether the crystalline rock in the region is suitable for a future research laboratory.

Exploratory drilling provides valuable data

“The results of the drilling help us to better understand the geological structure of the subsurface and its hydrogeological, geophysical, and geochemical properties,” says Dr. Judith Bremer from the Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW) at KIT and spokesperson for the project. The investigations included special drilling at a depth of more than 500 meters, seismic measurements, and an aeromagnetic campaign with helicopter-based measurements of the magnetic field. “The interpretation of all this data, together with additional laboratory tests, form the basis for the scientific evaluation of the site in the Odenwald,” adds Professor Thomas Kohl, also from AGW and coordinator of the GeoLaB project.