GFZ German research centre for geo sciences

ICDP Science Plan - White Paper on Scientific Drilling published

12.05.2015: Scientific Drilling is an indispensable tool of the geosciences. The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program ICDP has now published a White Paper to summarize current scientific and technical challenges.

‘Unravelling the Workings of Planet Earth’ focuses especially on the societal challenges that can be investigated by scientific drilling on land. These include ensuring the quality of potable water, predicting natural hazards, exploring changes in climate and environment as well as securing energy and mineral resources. The document serves as both, a guide for geoscientists worldwide and a docking station for national funding agencies so they can continue to successfully implement the comingled funding of projects.

The ICDP serves as an infrastructure for scientific drilling that facilitates outstanding geoscience research worldwide. The program was initiated in 1996 by the German Research Centre of Geosciences GFZ and has since based its coordination and operational support at GFZ. Scientists and members from 24 countries are associated with the program. More than 34 projects and 62 preparatory workshops have been conducted with great success, with a yearly upward trend.

The White Paper can be downloaded from www.icdp-online.org available and is available as a brochure in the ICDP offices.

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