ScienceStuff What If You Dig a Hole to the Center of the Earth?
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Apr 9, 2025 Join Eric Van Oort, a drilling expert from the University of Texas, and Roman Shore, a Texas A&M associate professor specializing in drilling automation, as they tackle the bold notion of digging to the Earth's core. They delve into the five deepest human-made holes and the staggering technological challenges involved. Discover innovative drilling techniques like microwave and laser methods, and the implications for sustainable geothermal energy. The conversation blends science with fascinating theories about our planet's depths and the future of drilling technology.
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Depth of Human-Made Holes
- The deepest human-made holes are surprisingly shallow compared to Earth's size.
- They represent only about 0.1% of the Earth's total width.
Borehole Collapse
- Deep holes tend to collapse due to the surrounding earth's pressure.
- This makes maintaining deep boreholes a significant challenge.
Earth's Internal Temperature
- Earth's internal temperature is incredibly high, reaching the surface of the sun's temperature at its core.
- This intense heat increases as you dig deeper, posing another challenge.