Drilling, instrumentation and sampling consideration for geoscience studies of magma-hydrothermal regimes

Abstract

A deep drill hole into a magma-hydrothermal system would provide access to the third dimension needed to understand processes in the earth's crust and to resolve the ambiguities in existing models derived from two-dimensional, surface geoscience studies. Magma-hydrothermal systems are of interest for basic understanding of heat and mass transport in the earth's crust, for evaluation of geothermal energy resources, an understanding of mineral deposition processes and for assessment of such hazards as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and waste disposal.

Final report - Magma Energy Research Project

“…As part of the national Continental Scientific Drilling Program, a workshop to discuss drilling at magma depths was held (Varnado and Colp, 19781, and a system study of drilling considerations in the magma environment has been conducted (Traeger et al, 1981). These efforts identify some of the engineering research and development needed to proceed with the actual drilling into a magma source.…”