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Topic : India’s Deep Drilling Mission in Koyna, Maharashtra
GS-1 Mains : Geography
Goal: Scientific deep drilling project to study earthquakes and Earth’s crust.
Location: Koyna-Warna region, Maharashtra (Western Ghats) – known for frequent earthquakes, especially after construction of the Koyna Dam (1962).
Significance:
- Understands reservoir-triggered earthquakes caused by water pressure changes behind dams.
- Improves understanding of earthquake mechanisms for better prediction models.
- Provides insights into Earth’s composition, resources, and geological history.
Implementing Agency: Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Target Depth: 6 kilometers (3.7 miles)
Drilling Techniques:
- Hybrid approach combining:
- Rotary Mud Drilling (uses mud to cool and remove debris)
- Percussion Drilling (Air Hammering) – technique chosen based on rock type and need for core samples.
- Core samples crucial for studying earthquake zones (up to 3 km depth).
Challenges:
- Deeper than 3 km:
- Rig upgrade needed for increased weight and depth.
- Higher risk of getting stuck in fractured rocks.
- Difficulty in operating instruments and collecting core samples.
- Potential for water intrusion and well abandonment.
- Steering the borehole: Requires precise equipment for navigating through the Earth’s crust.
Benefits of Deep Drilling (beyond earthquakes):
- Analyze rock formations and resources.
- Understand climate change patterns.
- Explore the evolution of life on Earth.
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