Kola Superdeep Borehole

The present book is devoted to the study of the deep Earth's interior structure, one of the most important problems of Earth sciences today. The drilling of the Kola superdeep well inaugurated a new stage in the study of the Precambrian continental crust. The well was sunk in the northeastern part of the Baltic Shield, in an area where the Precambrian ore-bearing structures, typical of the ancient platform basements, are in juxtaposition with each other. To the present the well has been drilled to a depth of 12 km, has traversed the full thickness of the Proterozoic complex and a considerable part of the Archean stratum, and is still be ing worked on. This book reviews the principal results of investigations to a depth of 11,600 m; these are described in three sections: geology, geophysics, and drilling. The book begins with a general review of the history, the present state of knowledge, and trends of further investigations in the field of study of the Earth's interior and superdeep drilling. The first section of the book considers the geology of the vicinity of the Kola superdeep well and describes its geological section based on a detailed examination both of the cores and the near-borehole area.

The present book is devoted to the study of the deep Earth's interior structure, one of the most important problems of Earth sciences today. The drilling of the Kola superdeep well inaugurated a new stage in the study of the Precambrian continental crust. The well was sunk in the northeastern part of the Baltic Shield, in an area where the Precambrian ore-bearing structures, typical of the ancient platform basements, are in juxtaposition with each other. To the present the well has been drilled to a depth of 12 km, has traversed the full thickness of the Proterozoic complex and a considerable part of the Archean stratum, and is still be ing worked on. This book reviews the principal results of investigations to a depth of 11,600 m; these are described in three sections: geology, geophysics, and drilling. The book begins with a general review of the history, the present state of knowledge, and trends of further investigations in the field of study of the Earth's interior and superdeep drilling. The first section of the book considers the geology of the vicinity of the Kola superdeep well and describes its geological section based on a detailed examination both of the cores and the near-borehole area.

Fifty years ago, no one could explain mountains. Arguments about their origin were spirited, to say the least. Progressive scientists were ridiculed for their ideas. Most geologists thought the Earth was shrinking. Contracting like a hot ball of iron, shrinking and exposing ridges that became mountains. Others were quite sure the planet was expanding. Growth widened sea basins and raised mountains. There was yet another idea, the theory that the world's crust was broken into big plates that jostled around, drifting until they collided and jarred mountains into existence. That idea was invariably dismissed as pseudo-science. Or "utter damned rot" as one prominent scientist said. But the doubtful theory of plate tectonics prevailed. Mountains, earthquakes, ancient ice ages, even veins of gold and fields of oil are now seen as the offspring of moving tectonic plates. Just half a century ago, most geologists sternly rejected the idea of drifting continents. But a few intrepid champions of plate tectonics dared to differ. The Mountain Mystery tells their story.

In October 1986 the German Minister for Research and Technology (Bundesminister fUr Forschung und Technologie), Dr. H. Riesenhuber, officially announced that the super-deep borehole of the Continental Deep Drilling Program of the Federal Republic of Germany (KTB) would be drilled in the Oberpfalz area of Northern Bavaria. The site selection was based on a recommendation from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) made after an evaluation by the Project Management of the technical and financial risks involved. This decision was preceded by a conference held from September 19 to 21, 1986 in Seeheim/Odenwald at which the results of the site studies in the Oberpfalz and the Schwarzwald were presented and thoroughly debated. The models and scientific targets resulting from these investigations formed the basis for a vote by the DFG Senate Commission for Geoscientific Interdisciplinary Research which was taken immediately after the conference. After evaluation of all scientific and technical aspects, the members of the commission voted almost unanimously for the Oberpfalz site. It was, ho",'ever, strongly emphasized that both locations had a wealth of attractive research objectives and that despite clear-cut differences in some major aspects scientifically the two could be regarded as more or less equivalent. Both'locations would be excellent sites for research drilling and would certainly cor.

Lily, who has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Abelard, who has Asperger's, meet in detention and discover a mutual affinity for love letters--and, despite their differences, each other.

This book sets forth a set of truly controversial and astonishing theories: First, it proposes that below the surface of the earth is a biosphere of greater mass and volume than the biosphere the total sum of living things on our planet's continents and in its oceans. Second, it proposes that the inhabitants of this subterranean biosphere are not plants or animals as we know them, but heat-loving bacteria that survive on a diet consisting solely of hydrocarbons that is, natural gas and petroleum. And third and perhaps most heretically, the book advances the stunning idea that most hydrocarbons on Earth are not the byproduct of biological debris ("fossil fuels"), but were a common constituent of the materials from which the earth itself was formed some 4.5 billion years ago. The implications are astounding. The theory proposes answers to often-asked questions: Is the deep hot biosphere where life originated, and do Mars and other seemingly barren planets contain deep biospheres? Even more provocatively, is it possible that there is an enormous store of hydrocarbons upwelling from deep within the earth that can provide us with abundant supplies of gas and petroleum? However far-fetched these ideas seem, they are supported by a growing body of evidence, and by the indisputable stature and seriousness Gold brings to any scientific debate. In this book we see a brilliant and boldly original thinker, increasingly a rarity in modern science, as he develops potentially revolutionary ideas about how our world works.

drilling

Are you ready to learn something new? The 2nd volume in the Knowledge Stew Guide series continues the quest to find the most interesting facts in the world. Take a journey through topics that range from science, history, and geography to food, entertainment, and business and learn the facts behind the facts. Discover things you might not have known about the moon, or why we're taller in the morning and shorter at night. Find out about a strange amusement park, a secret vault at Mt. Rushmore, or the world's most expensive coffee. These things, plus plenty more, are waiting for your brain to take them in. Just don't forget your spoon. For even more facts, check out Volume 1 of Knowledge Stew: The Guide to the Most Interesting Facts in the World.