Geothermal Borehole in Iceland

Geologists say they are close to creating the hottest borehole in the world.

They are drilling into the heart of a volcano in the south-west of Iceland.

They have told the BBC that they should reach 5km down, where temperatures are expected to exceed 500C , in the next couple of weeks.

The researchers want to bring steam from the deep well back up to the surface to provide an important source of energy.

The project is located on the Reykjanes peninsula, quite near  the Blue Lagoon, where a volcano last erupted 700 years ago.

A huge rig stands out against the black lava fields; inside a drill has been operating for 24 hours a day since August.

It has now descended nearly 4,500m, and the team expects it to hit its target depth of 5km by the end of the year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38296251

Methane hydrate: Dirty fuel or energy saviour?

The world is addicted to hydrocarbons, and it's easy to see why - cheap, plentiful and easy to mine, they represent an abundant energy source to fuel industrial development the world over.

The side-effects, however, are potentially devastating; burning fossil fuels emits the CO2 linked to global warming.

And as reserves of oil, coal and gas are becoming tougher to access, governments are looking ever harder for alternatives, not just to produce energy, but to help achieve the holy grail of all sovereign states - energy independence.

Some have discovered a potential saviour, locked away under deep ocean beds and vast swathes of permafrost. The problem is it's a hydrocarbon, but unlike any other we know.

For more information click here.

FRACKING

The Next Bath Geol Soc Meeting is on April 4th during the first week of the Easter Holiday:

Shale Gas and Fracking

Roy Hartley, Consultant Petroleum Engineer & Bath Geological Society

Shale gas and fracking have appeared regularly in the news in the UK in the last two years. Two extreme views are portrayed - one that development of the UK's shale gas will make the country self sufficient with all the economic benefits that implies - the other is that fracking will pollute our water sources, increase greenhouse gas emissions and have other detrimental effects. 

I am pretty sure I can go, and will take a minibus if required. A sign up list will go up in my classroom.

In the meantime have a look at:
Trailer for Matt Damon Fracking feature film (Promised Land)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JQqLiZgDQI

The (infamous) fracking song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHQu3SeUwUI

Also see the Earth Science Guy blog (on the right)