China has announced the launch of a large-scale project to explore the Earth’s interior

China is starting a large-scale geological and geophysical project, which will last six years and cost about 1 billion dollars. Its main goal is to create a detailed three-dimensional model of China’s subsurface. The research will cover the entire territory of the country and will include drilling, deploying thousands of instruments and conducting large-scale seismic surveys.

In addition to searching for new mineral deposits, scientists seek to reveal fundamental geological processes — the formation of the Tibetan Plateau and the interaction between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying resources for “green” energy, including rare metals, natural hydrogen, and geological structures for storing carbon dioxide.

The project also provides for the creation of a detailed map of tectonic faults, which will contribute to improving the forecasting of earthquakes and reducing the risks of natural disasters. In addition, Chinese scientists plan to cooperate with international partners to create a global network of seismic stations, which will allow to better understand the structure of the Earth and the processes in its interior.

SinoProbe II is considered one of the largest geological surveys in the world. Its results can have a significant impact on the development of science, strengthening energy security and solving environmental challenges facing humanity.