In an exploration of new frontiers above and below the Earth’s surface, Chinese scientists have initiated a drilling project to create a 10,000-meter (32,808 feet) borehole into the planet’s crust.

This ambitious endeavor, which commenced in China’s oil-rich Xinjiang region on Tuesday, marks the deepest borehole ever attempted by the country, NDTV reported.

According to the official Xinhua News Agency, the narrow shaft will traverse more than 10 continental strata, penetrating layers of rock, and ultimately reaching the cretaceous system of the Earth’s crust.

This system consists of rock formations dating back approximately 145 million years.

Describing the immense challenge posed by the drilling project, Sun Jinsheng, a scientist at the Chinese

Academy of Engineering, likened it to a large truck traversing two thin steel cables, highlighting the complexity of the task, NDTV reported.

In 2021, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for significant advancements in deep Earth exploration during a speech to the nation’s top scientists.

Such exploration holds the potential to unveil valuable mineral and energy resources while aiding in the assessment of environmental risks, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Written by staff