Researchers are once again starting helicopter measurement flights in the Harz Mountains.
Further scientific investigations are taking place in the Harz Mountains as part of the DESMEX-REAL research project. From August 15 to 24, 2024, the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) from Hanover, together with the universities of Münster and Cologne, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies (Leibniz-IPHT, Jena) and the companies Supracon (Jena) and iMAR Navigation (St. Ingbert), will carry out geophysical surveys in the western Harz Mountains using the BGR helicopter.
BGR helicopter with measuring probe. Photo: BGR
The aim of the research project DESMEX-REAL, which is planned to run until 2025 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and in which the Technical University (TU) Clausthal, the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (Hannover) and the Geological State Investigation GmbH Freiberg are also involved, is to set up a so-called real laboratory in the «old mining region of the Upper Harz». The project combines the most modern geophysical measurement methods for the efficient exploration of mineral raw material deposits with knowledge from archive data on previous mining in the Upper Harz.
After two successful measurement campaigns in previous years, the third and final major investigation program is now taking place as part of the project. Helicopter measurement flights and ground geophysical surveys are again planned. The flights will take off from the Bad Gandersheim glider airfield and will cover several measurement areas in the Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Kamschlacken, Osterode and Bad Grund areas. Repeat flights will take place in the Schulenberg and Lautenthal areas.
First three-dimensional models of potential ore deposits
The evaluation software developed at LIAG creates three-dimensional models of electrical conductivity based on the measured data, which can provide indications of mineralization in the subsurface down to a depth of about 1 kilometer. Initial results from the 2022 measurement campaign are already available in a 3D model. The other geoscientific information will be combined into a 3D subsurface model by the end of the project.
«With the method used in the Harz and the complex evaluation software developed, we can provide information about structures that lie much deeper than was known from existing mining work,» explains Dr. Thomas Günther, project manager and co-developer of the evaluation software at LIAG. «This was previously not possible in terms of size, depth and detail – this also shows the importance of research for geophysical method development.»
A download of the first 3D model of the electrically conductive layers and thus potential ore deposits (MP4) is available on the LIAG website (below).
Information event for citizens
An information event will take place on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the market square in Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The scientists will also present one of the two towed probes and state-of-the-art measuring technology to interested visitors. Children can try out geophysical measurements themselves or test a drone simulator. Short lectures will provide information from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Werner Grübmeyer lecture hall at TU Clausthal about the goals and measurement methods of the project as well as the deposits in the Upper Harz. The geological collection can also be viewed here free of charge as part of the event. The ore bodies will be presented at the LIAG stand with the model of electrical conductivity. A 3-D model of the mining infrastructure and a geological 3-D model will be presented in the LBEG building. Upper Harz residents and their guests, politicians, forestry offices, environmental associations and the media are cordially invited.
Media event
Media representatives will have the opportunity to accompany the measurement campaign on site on Friday, August 16, 2024. Photo and film recordings will be possible of the helicopter taking off from the airfield in Bad Gandersheim at 9:30 a.m. as well as of the parallel measurement work on the ground. Please register by August 14, 2024 at the email address info@bgr.de.
Scientific contacts:
Project management: Prof. Dr. Michael Becken (University of Münster),
Tel. 0177 8687178, E-Mail Michael.Becken@uni-muenster.de
Helicopter flight: Dr. Annika Steuer (BGR, Hannover),
Tel. +49 511 643 2148, E-Mail: Annika.Steuer@bgr.de
3-D model of the ore deposits: Dr. Thomas Günther (LIAG, Hannover),
Tel.: 0511 643 3494, E-Mail: thomas.guenther@leibniz-liag.de
Ground team coordination: Dr. Pritam Yogeshwar (University of Cologne),
Tel.: 0177 7829351, E-Mail: yogeshwar@geo.uni-koeln.de
Operation of the measuring probe: Prof. Dr. Ronny Stolz (Leibniz-IPHT, Jena),
Tel. +49 3641 206 119, E-Mail: ronny.stolz@leibniz-ipht.de
Further information:
LIAG project page: https://www.leibniz-liag.de/forschung/projekte/desmex-real.html#c28871
BGR project page: https://www.bgr.bund.de/DE/Themen/GG_Geophysik/Aerogeophysik/Projekte/laufend/DE…
http://www.leibniz-liag.de
