The Chikyu Vessel (Japan) Prepares to Drill Deep Into the Earth, 7 km from the Ocean Floor to Retrieve Soil Samples Near the Earth’s Core.
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The Chikyu Vessel will drill 7 km into the Earth (Photo: blog.kurose.biz) |
While the United States and Russia are engrossed in space exploration projects, on January 16, 2006, Japanese scientists began training sessions to investigate the origins of life deep within the Earth.
The Japanese vessel named Chikyu, equipped with the most advanced exploration technology to date, is set to head to the Nankai Trough (Japan) to drill down 7 km into the Earth from the ocean floor. This depth is three times greater than the previous record.
After drilling, technical equipment will retrieve soil samples from near the Earth’s core for scientists to study potential life forms in that environment.
Theoretically, life could originate beneath the Earth’s crust at temperatures and pressures vastly different from those on the surface or in the oceans. Some believe that geothermal energy, rather than solar energy, may have generated the first living samples.
Additionally, the Chikyu Vessel will explore the origins of earthquakes and deploy sensors within the Earth’s crust, with plans to establish an effective warning system for Japan and the East Asian region.
The cost of designing the vessel is $620 million, and its annual operating expenses will consume nearly $90 million.
