Drilling into an Earthquake Fault

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    Earthquake Fault
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a proposal by Japanese scientists to drill into earthquake faults from the depths of South African mines. Participants explore the implications, feasibility, and motivations behind this drilling project, with a focus on its scientific value and potential risks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the necessity and logic of drilling into faults at the bottom of deep mines, suggesting that surface faults are typically preferred for accessibility.
  • Others highlight the uniqueness of drilling into a fresh, seismically active fault, indicating potential scientific benefits.
  • A participant raises concerns about the implications of such drilling, particularly in sensitive areas like Yellowstone, suggesting a broader context of travel bans related to geological risks.
  • One participant notes that drilling into faults has been a common practice, questioning the novelty of the proposed project.
  • Another participant suggests that while the project may yield some insights, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on understanding earthquake dynamics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the value and rationale of the drilling project, with some expressing enthusiasm and others skepticism.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the accessibility of faults and the potential risks associated with drilling in certain locations, but do not resolve the underlying assumptions or implications of these points.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in seismology, geological engineering, and the implications of drilling projects on earthquake research may find this discussion relevant.

BillTre
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Some Japanese scientists want to drill from the bottom of S. African mines into faults of recent earthquakes.
Science news story here.
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
Don't let them anywhere near to Yellowstone! This gives a totally new perspective for some guy's travel bans ...
 
BillTre said:
Some Japanese scientists want to drill from the bottom of S. African mines into faults of recent earthquakes.
Science news story here.

Strange article and project. I read the first sentence and rolled my eyes ... guys have been drilling into, through and digging across faults for years
and generally pick the ones at the surface for ease of access.
Why do it at the bottom of a deep and difficult to access mine boggles the mind ... seems so silly.

Dave
 
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I dunno, sounds pretty cool to me! It's not just any fault: it's a fresh -- seismically active -- fault!
 
A drop in the bucket...maybe they will learn something but they won't be affecting.
 

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