Geological survey
Geological surveys will take place in 2024 in the Belgian and Dutch search area for the Einstein Telescope. With exploratory drilling and so-called geophysical-seismic surveys, the Einstein Telescope – EMR project office aims to get a better geological picture of the underground.
Drilling campaign
Before determining the three vertices for the underground telescope, information from drilling about the composition of the undergroud will help identify potentially suitable sites for this. Want to know more about the drilling campaign, how we will proceed and what we want to investigate?
Locations and dates
We carry out exploratory drilling at 12 locations in Belgium and the Netherlands. An overview is given below. The periods mentioned are subject to change. They may change, depending on the progress of the drilling.
| Place | Municipality | Location | Period |
| Hombourg (WA) | Plombières | Bounder | 4 March-11 April |
| Sint-Pieters-Voeren (FL) | Voeren | Brabant/Rullen | 27 March-30 May |
| Teuven (FL) | Voeren | Kloosterhofstraat | 24 May-4 July |
| Gemmenich (WA) | Plombières | Rue de Terstraeten | 9 April-7 June |
| Obsinnich (FL) | Voeren | Obsinnich near railway | 5 June-19 July |
| Aubel (south) (WA) | Aubel | Rte de Val Dieu / Bushaye | 18 May-4 July |
| Henri-Chapelle (WA) | Welkenraedt | Rue de Verviers | 30 May-3 August |
| Epen (DL) | Gulpen-Wittem | Schutterij grounds | 17 July-31 August |
| Dal van Vijlen (DL) | Vaals | Groeneweg | 17 May-20 August |
| Herbesthal (WA) | Lontzen | Limburgstraat (terrain NMBS) | 10 June-8 August |
| Vijlenerbos (DL) | Vaals | Car park | 16 Sept.-early Nov. |
| Sint-Pieters-Voeren (FL) (secondary drilling) | Voeren | Brabant | date not yet fixed |
Seismic research
From October 2024, the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, together with the University of Liège (ULiège) and KNMI, will conduct seismic surveys in the German, Belgian and Dutch border region. To this end, small seismometers are being temporarily installed at around 250 locations. These so-called geo-phones measure acoustic background waves propagating in the subsurface.
Communication and viewings
Information meetings have been held for residents of Plombières, Aubel, Gemmenich, Voeren, Vaals and Epen. Furthermore, ‘viewings’ will be organised where interested parties can get on-the-spot information about the work.