by John C. Eichelberger, Yan Lavallée, Yan Lavallée, Paolo Papale, Anette Kærgaard Mortensen

We propose to drill into the magma front in the one place on Earth where this is technologically and logistically possible – the Krafla Caldera in Northern Iceland. We know through previous drilling in IDDP1 and by the Icelandic energy company, Landsvirkjun, that rhyolitic magma at ~ 900oC exists at only 2.1 – 2.5 km depth. Through the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) we intend to sample the magma-rock interface which is characterised by high-enthalpy aqueous fluids, a transition from brittle to ductile rock, a solidus with first appearance of interstitial silicate melt, and bodies of accumulated silicate magma. If achievable, we will maintain the drill-hole open for as long as is possible to undertake a suite of geophysical observations. We have garnered the direct financial and in-kind support from research authorities and ministries in Iceland, the UK, Italy and Germany and KMT is viewed with extreme interest by many scientists and funders globally. All recognise that what we are proposing is a high-risk endeavour, but with very high scientific return and with impacts on: the geothermal potential of near-magma geothermal systems; the possibility of monitoring volcanic systems much closer to (or in) the magma-body; innovation in sensor technology. However, while recognising the importance of the scientific endeavour all agree that a full operational plan is required that would include evaluation of new technologies understanding of safety scenarios and a comprehensive communication plan. We have thus proposed a suite of KMT Phase Zero activities that would be required prior to drilling. These include a well-coordinated management and operational team and clear governance that would define conditions for going ahead with drilling (essentially a go/no-go scenario), and we anticipate that the ICDP operational group would be part of this. We note here that we have the KMT Phase 1 drilling included on infrastructure road-maps in the UK and Iceland. The proposal to ICDP is (i) that ICDP join KMT Phase zero and participate to a level of $300,000 in a $4 million programme and (ii) if we move to the Phase 1 drilling phase (possibly in summer 2023) ICDP would provide a contribution of $1.2 million as part of a programme which is estimated at $20-25 million. The development of the full costs and the funding consortium is one of the tasks of the Phase Zero proposal.

• We will through drilling and sampling characterize the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the interval between the Krafla hydrothermal system and Krafla magma. We anticipate that these direct observations will allow the mechanisms and fluxes of mass and heat to be modelled and tested in-situ. Such bodies exist world-wide, but ae not yet as accessible as in KMT, thus we will use the “ground truth” knowledge of the subsurface from KMT-1 and neighbouring wells to improve surface geophysical and geochemical techniques for locating magma bodies at depth and predicting their characteristics. This has direct consequences for the industrial use of near magma geothermal heat and will provide significant improvements in volcano monitoring. Our data systems will be integrated with ICDP and other deep-drilling projects in volcanic systems (IDDP2, JBBP, NZ Geothermal Next Generation). The science team here and the extended science team at KMT are extensively linked globally in networks where and we will share data, technological advances and operation programmes. Innovation and outreach is important and through the local community in Krafla we have created an open discussion group on the creation of a global volcano training centre and an innovation network for use storage and of heat. If we achieve what we propose we will have created a step-change in our understanding of near magma systems. Already the activity around KMT has generated ~$10 million in leverage from other related grants in geophysical and magma modelling and ICDP would join KMT as one of the beneficiaries.

Drilling Technology, Geothermal Energy, Magma, Volcano Hazards

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