Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies
The BedrettoLab (Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies) is a unique research infrastructure run by ETH Zurich making it possible to take a close look at the Earth’s interior. It is located in the Swiss Alps 1.5 kilometres below the surface and in the middle of a 5.2 kilometres long tunnel connecting the Ticino with the Furka railway tunnel.
Equipped with the latest technology, the BedrettoLab offers ideal conditions to conduct experimental research focusing on the behaviour of the deep underground when accessing and stimulating it. Such an access is required to advance scientific knowledge in various domains including geothermal energy and earthquake physics. It is also of relevance to develop novel techniques and sensors for these purposes.
2024-09-12
Second M0 experiment finished successfully
The second multi-day hydraulic stimulation was finished successfully at the end of August. A team of about ten people monitored a stimulation lasting for about three days, injecting water with a pressure of 20 MPa.
As anticipated, the injection triggered a high level of microseismicity: our real-time monitoring workflow detected several thousand tiny earthquakes. The two largest events reached a magnitude of around -1.0. This is equivalent to when rocks rupture in an area of one meter in diameter and move by up to 1 millimetre.
The experiment was conducted according to a previously designed protocol. With the new remote-control system, the entire experiment and monitoring could be conducted from a control room at ETH Zurich and the Barracke near the tunnel entrance in Ronco, with no one in the tunnel.
Now, the team is busy analysing the rich data set and preparing for the next experiments in November and December 2024.
2024-08-26
Continuation of the M0 experiment
Following the successful M0 experiment in late April, a new extended hydraulic stimulation experiment is scheduled for late August. The objective is to replicate the results of the previous test, which triggered, as planned, an earthquake with a magnitude of about 0. The now schedulded experiment will involve a shorter, high-pressure stimulation (20 MPa) lasting a maximum of three days.
This approach will help determine if the seismicity characteristics remain consistent with or differ from the prior experiment, which involved several days of rock mass preconditioning at intermediate pressures (15 MPa).
The potential risks associated with these experiments are considered low. However, safety measures have been implemented, including remote-controlled pump circuits that allow the experiments to be conducted without personnel in the tunnel. Additionally, predefined thresholds for magnitude and ground motion will trigger the halt of the injection to avoid any dangerous ground motions to occur.
Virtual Tour
Click on play and get a deep insight into the BedrettoLab.
Open positions
Link to ETH job board: Technician / Engineer in the BedrettoLab
(Job description as PDF in English, German and Italian)
Public tours on 28 September
Tickets for a public tour on 28 September can be purchased at the following link: sasso-sangottardo.ch/bedrettolab
Guided tours are in German and Italian.