Underground Science

In March 2004 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a three-solicitation process to revitalize its efforts to create a dedicated deep underground research laboratory. The first solicitation focused on defining the science goals for a deep laboratory and defining many of the laboratory’s critical parameters and characteristics. The principal investigators for this effort, led by Professor Bernard Sadoulet, produced Deep Science, which summarized their findings including the key scientific questions to be addressed with a deep laboratory. Grouping the fundamental questions by disciplines, Deep Science presents the DUSEL science program as:

Physics

What is the universe made of?
What is the dark matter?
What are neutrinos telling us?
What happened to the antimatter?
Are protons unstable?
How did the universe evolve?

Biology

How does subsurface microbial life evolve in isolation?
Did life on earth originate beneath the surface?
Is there life underground as we don’t know it?

Biology and Geology

How do biology and geology interact to shape the world underground?
What are the interactions among subsurface processes?
Are underground resources of drinking water safe and secure?

Geology

Can we reliably predict and control earthquakes?
Can we make the earth “transparent” and observe underground processes in action?

Geology and Engineering

What are the mechanical properties of rock?
What lies between the boreholes?
How does rock respond to human activity?
How does water flow deep underground?
How can technology lead to a safer underground?


Homepage SURF Science Safety and Environment Education and Outreach Sanford Laboratory Newsletters Reference Workshops DocuShare Contacts	Underground Science In March 2004 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a three-solicitation process to revitalize its efforts to create a dedicated deep underground research laboratory. The first solicitation focused on defining the science goals for a deep laboratory and defining many of the laboratory’s critical parameters and characteristics. The principal investigators for this effort, led by Professor Bernard Sadoulet, produced Deep Science, which summarized their findings including the key scientific questions to be addressed with a deep laboratory. Grouping the fundamental questions by disciplines, Deep Science presents the DUSEL science program as: Physics What is the universe made of? What is the dark matter? What are neutrinos telling us? What happened to the antimatter? Are protons unstable? How did the universe evolve? Biology How does subsurface microbial life evolve in isolation? Did life on earth originate beneath the surface? Is there life underground as we don’t know it? Biology and Geology How do biology and geology interact to shape the world underground? What are the interactions among subsurface processes? Are underground resources of drinking water safe and secure? Geology Can we reliably predict and control earthquakes? Can we make the earth “transparent” and observe underground processes in action? Geology and Engineering What are the mechanical properties of rock? What lies between the boreholes? How does rock respond to human activity? How does water flow deep underground? How can technology lead to a safer underground?	S4 Proposals Science Reports Physics Biology Geology Engineering