Exploring the Depths: Scientists Drill into Iceland's Volcanic Magma

Iceland is known as one of the world's most volcanically active regions, and now, a team of international scientists is set to embark on an ambitious project: drilling into the magma beneath the Krafla volcano in northeast Iceland. This unique initiative, known as the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT), aims to enhance our understanding of underground magma behavior, which could revolutionize both volcanic eruption forecasting and geothermal energy utilization.

Standing at the edge of Krafla's crater lake, Bjorn Por Guðmundsson, the project leader, explains the significance of their work. The KMT team plans to drill two boreholes approximately 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) deep, creating an underground observatory that will allow researchers to monitor the magma's pulse through temperature and pressure sensors. "It's like our moonshot," says Yan Lavelle, a professor of vulcanology and head of KMT's science committee, emphasizing the transformative potential of this endeavor.

Currently, volcanic activity is monitored using instruments like seismometers, but knowledge about magma below the surface remains limited. By instrumenting the magma, scientists hope to gain insights that could lead to better eruption predictions and the development of advanced geothermal energy systems. With approximately 800 million people living within 100 kilometers of active volcanoes, the implications for safety and economic stability are significant.

Iceland, situated on the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, has 33 active volcano systems. Recent eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula have caused damage and disruption in the nearby community of Grindavik. If the KMT project succeeds, it could enable more accurate predictions of volcanic activity, potentially averting crises like the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which resulted in over 100,000 flight cancellations and an estimated cost of £3 billion ($3.95 billion).

The second borehole of the KMT will focus on harnessing geothermal energy from magma's extreme heat. Currently, 65% of Iceland's electricity and 85% of household heating come from geothermal sources, which tap into hot fluids deep underground. The Krafla power plant, located nearby, already supplies hot water and electricity to around 30,000 homes.

Past attempts to locate magma have proven challenging, but a surprising discovery in 2009 led to a significant breakthrough. Engineers unexpectedly intercepted magma at a depth of 2.1 kilometers while drilling for hot fluids, producing an astonishing amount of energy—about ten times more than typical wells in the region. This discovery highlighted the potential of magma as a powerful energy source, leading researchers to explore the feasibility of tapping into this resource.

As global demand for geothermal energy grows, many countries are investing in advanced geothermal projects, particularly those that explore "super-hot rock," where temperatures exceed 400°C at depths of 5 to 15 kilometers. Rosalind Archer, dean of Griffith University and former director of the Geothermal Institute in New Zealand, refers to this pursuit as the "Holy Grail" of geothermal energy due to its potential for higher energy density.

Drilling into such extreme environments presents technical challenges, necessitating the development of specialized materials capable of withstanding high heat and pressure. Researchers at the University of Iceland are currently testing nickel and titanium alloys to create more durable drilling equipment, as traditional carbon steel becomes weakened at temperatures above 200°C.

While drilling into magma may seem risky, Guðmundsson reassures that the process is likely safe. He cites the 2009 incident as evidence that previous drilling endeavors have not resulted in catastrophic outcomes. Nonetheless, researchers remain vigilant regarding potential risks, such as toxic gases and induced seismic activity, but the geological context of Iceland mitigates these concerns.

Though the KMT project will take years to fully realize, its implications for both eruption forecasting and geothermal energy generation are immense. As Archer notes, "The whole geothermal world is watching the KMT project. It is potentially quite transformative.